For several years I've been interviewing women like myself who packed up everything to start a new adventure in another part of the world. One of the core values that I talk about is that we will never have this day again -- make it matter. It's my softer way of saying 'If you died tomorrow, would you be satisfied with how you lived this day?' I knew I didn't invent this way of thinking but I didn't realize that Stoics have been talking about this for thousands of years until I learned about the greatest philosopher king, Marcus Aurelius, who ruled until 180 A.D. He said, “You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.” (Greg Hays translation). Marcus wrote down many words of wisdom, and I want to share his story today because he's an ideal example of how we can all live a good life, no matter what obstacles come our way.I'm joined again by Stoic expert Donald Robertson, author of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, which explains the Stoic philosophy via Marcus' fascinating story. It's my favorite book on Stoicism! Get the audiobook for free if you're new to Audible by signing up for a trial at audibletrial.com/postcardVisit sarahmikutel.com to get in touch about how we can work one-on-one together to help you achieve more peace, happiness, and positive transformation in your life.Looking for a guide to help you discover your Enneagram personality type? Book your Enneagram typing session by going to sarahmikutel.com/typingsessionWant to connect on Insta? Find me here

Postcard Academy Travel Podcast

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor with Donald Robertson

Even though I haven't lived in the U.S. for 10 years, I've been in Italy and England for most of this time, I still pay close attention to my home country.At the time of this recording, it's 2020. The U.S. just ended the most contentious and vitriolic political campaign season I've seen in my lifetime.I see the divisiveness and bitter partisanship. People are becoming more tribal. Canceling out opposing views. At the same time people seem desperate for connection and to be part of something greater than themselves.And then I look around and see what they're gravitating toward. If they're not religious, it seems social media and YouTube are sucking them into extremist groups, gangs, and conspiracy theories.I wondered what it would it look like if we could offer them a peaceful, compassionate, hopeful alternative idea to believe in.  Then I realized this idea already exists in Stoicism, a 2,300-year old philosophy that essentially says: Live your values. Don’t worry about things that are beyond your control. Be a person of good character who looks out for other people.It's a practical philosophy on how to live a good life and will be one of the primary ideas I'll discuss on this show. Because like the Enneagram, Stoicism gives us the tools we need to increase our self awareness, be more present, and to respond to life in a mindful way and not out of emotion or habit.Consider this episode Stoicism 101.I couldn't think of a better person to talk to about this than Donald Robertson, a Stoic expert and a cognitive behavioral therapist. He's written my favorite books on modern Stoicism, including Stoicism and the Art of Happiness and How to Think Like a Roman Emperor. AND, he's an expat/world wanderer: a Scotsman who moved in Canada but has been appropriately hanging out in Athens for a good part of this year.Enjoy the show!Visit sarahmikutel.com to get in touch about how we can work one-on-one together to help you achieve more peace, happiness, and positive transformation in your life.Looking for a guide to help you discover your Enneagram personality type? Book your Enneagram typing session by going to sarahmikutel.com/typingsessionWant to connect on Insta? Find me here

Stoicism and the Art of Happiness with Donald Robertson

Digital nomad Jeremy Enns is Canadian. His girlfriend is American. Due to visa situations, to stay together they have to travel (which they love anyway). But traveling and living the nomadic life isn’t as easy during a global pandemic. Jeremy and his partner have made it work by slowing down how often they move. Over the last year, they spent the largest amount of time in Edinburgh.On the Part of Something Greater Podcast, Jeremy shares his top tips for what you need to eat, drink, and do in Scotland’s capital city. Hello! I'm your host, Sarah Mikutel, a transformation coach and an American expat based in England.But the real question is, who are you? Where are you now and where do you want to be? Can I help you get there?Visit sarahmikutel.com to learn how we can work together to help you achieve more peace, happiness, and positive transformation in your life.Book your Enneagram typing session by going to sarahmikutel.com/typingsessionWant to connect on Insta? Find me here

Edinburgh: What to Eat Drink and Do in Scotland’s Capital City

I had so much fun talking to today’s guest, a true kindred spirit because he not only loves traveling and living abroad, but he loves podcast creation as much as I do.Jeremy Enns is the CEO & Storyteller In Chief of Counterweight Creative, a podcast strategy and marketing agency that he manages while living a digital nomad / location independent life.In this episode, Jeremy shares the steps he took to become location independent, and offers some really good advice on how you can, too. Both Jeremy and I made similar mistakes when location independence came on our radars. Namely, that we thought blogging and online courses were the best way to go. Wrong. We talk about a much better alternative to begin your location independent career in this episode. Enjoy!Hello! I'm your host, Sarah Mikutel, a transformation coach and an American expat based in England. But the real question is, who are you? Where are you now and where do you want to be? Can I help you get there?Visit sarahmikutel.com to learn how we can work together to help you achieve more peace, happiness, and positive transformation in your life.Book your Enneagram typing session by going to sarahmikutel.com/typingsessionWant to connect on Insta? Find me here

Location Independence for Beginners

Rebrand! The Postcard Academy is now called Part of Something Greater,  a show about exploring the world beyond your borders. If you’re a global citizen seeking a more meaningful, freedom-fueled life, you’re in the right place.I’m your host Sarah Mikutel, a transformation coach who first moved abroad on her own at age 18 and who has been permanently enjoying life in Europe since 2010. My guests and I will share with you how we made our travel and living abroad dreams come true, and how you can, too. But freedom is about more than getting on a plane. It’s about self exploration and personal transformation, so you can live a calmer, kinder, more connected life. So I’ll cover this, too -- and I especially love sharing how the Enneagram and Stoicism can help you become more present, curious, and open hearted.It you’d like my help achieving more peace, happiness, and positive transformation in your life, visit sarahmikutel.com 

The Postcard Academy is Now Called Part of Something Greater

Welcome to part 2 of my anniversary special. That is, my 10-year anniversary of being an Italian citizen.In the last episode, my friend Toni and I shared our favorite:PizzaPastaItalian customsToursMuseumsToday, you’ll hear about the best BeachesWinePastryMore hidden gemsAnd less-touristy Italian citiesAt least, this is the best according to us :) You are welcome to chime in with your own recommendations on Instagram. You can find me @sarahmikutelEnjoy the episode! ??Visit sarahmikutel.com to get in touch about how we can work one-on-one together to help you achieve more peace, happiness, and positive transformation in your life.Looking for a guide to help you discover your Enneagram personality type? Book your Enneagram typing session by going to sarahmikutel.com/typingsessionWant to connect on Insta? Find me here

Italy Top 10 Anniversary Special (Part 2)

Hello, hello. I’m celebrating something very special in this episode — my 10-year anniversary of being an Italian citizen. If you haven’t heard this story, 10 years ago, I packed up my New York apartment and bought a one-way ticket to Italy to pursue my dream of being an Italian citizen and living in Europe — I’ve been here ever since.In a previous episode, I walk through the exact steps I took to become a duel citizen via Italian ancestry.In this two-part episode, I’ll be sharing my top 10 favorite things to eat, drink, and do in Italy.I didn’t want to take this trip down memory lane alone, so I called up my friend Toni Mazzaglia, founder of the food tour company Taste Florence — you’ve heard her on a few Postcard Academy episodes. In part 1, we talk about our favorite:PizzaPastaItalian customsToursMuseumsGet ready for some mouth-watering hidden gems!Visit sarahmikutel.com to get in touch about how we can work one-on-one together to help you achieve more peace, happiness, and positive transformation in your life.Looking for a guide to help you discover your Enneagram personality type? Book your Enneagram typing session by going to sarahmikutel.com/typingsessionWant to connect on Insta? Find me here

Italy Top 10 Anniversary Special (Part 1)

Well hello there. I will be back with some new travel episodes soon but first I wanted to share something special with you.I just launched a new podcast called Part of Something Greater, a show for peacefully ambitious people seeking personal transformation so they can better themselves, their communities, and the world at large.If you’ve been listening to this podcast for awhile, you’ll know that personal development is something that really interests me. True freedom in our lives is not just literal location independence and travel, but freedom from overwhelm and anxiety and from unhelpful patterns and beliefs.I’m sharing the first episode of Part of Something Greater with you here. If you think this is the kind of show you’ll get a lot of value out of, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to your podcasts. GIVEAWAYI'm giving away three of my favorite books on the Enneagram (Road Back to You, Complete Enneagram, and The Essential Enneagram) PLUS your choice one of my online podcasting courses.Here’s how to win:Leave a rating and review of Part of Something Greater on Apple Podcasts. Here's how to do itScreenshot your review and share on Instagram, tagging me @sarahmikutelYou'll be entered to win :)And that’s all you have to do! I’ll pick a winner on December 17, 2020. Deadline to enter is December 16, 2020 noon (EST). If you plan on entering, you should do it now so you don't forget ? Book an Enneagram typing session.Learn more about me.

Introducing Part of Something Greater

In the last episode of the Postcard Academy, you learned how to become an expat in Panama. In this episode, you’ll learn why.David Gold is back to share what’s kept him in Panama City for more than a decade. Coffee, chocolate, and beach lover’s…this one’s for you. You’ll also learn about Panama’s history, including the infamous canal.You’ve heard of the Panama Canal, but do you know why it matters? You will after this episode. You'll also hear about everything you need to eat, drink, and do in Panama City and beyond.OK, time for our tour of Panama.postcardacademy.co***Hi, I'm your host, Sarah Mikutel, an American expat based in England. Fancy starting your own podcast? Visit sarahmikutel.com to learn how I can help you. I'm on Insta if you want to say hi.

Panama: Ultimate Travel Guide

You know those screensavers that look like paradise? Almost too beautiful to be real?That’s how my guest today describes the beaches of Panama, the Central American country he’s called home for the last 11 years.Like me, David Gold is a native of Connecticut, but left to join the Peace Corps in Bolivia and eventually made his way to Panama City, where he opened Casco Antiguo Spanish School.In this episode, David shares advice on how we can become expats ourselves in Panama.If you value year-round great weather, quality of life, and affordable healthcare, you’re in luck — Panama is a very visa-friendly country, with tons of extra benefits for people who retire there.postcardacademy.co***Hey, there! I'm your host Sarah Mikutel, an American who's been living abroad since 2010. Right now I live in a beach town in England and I love helping fellow expats and online entrepreneurs launch their own podcasts. Interested? Find out more here ?sarahmikutel.com

Move to Panama: Expat Guide on Visas, Healthcare, and Learning Spanish

Do you make travel a financial priority? My guest today takes this idea so seriously that she treats saving for travel like paying a bill. A portion of every paycheck automatically gets put into a special savings account exclusively for travel. Danielle Desir is the author of several travel books, including Affording Travel and Traveling with a Full-Time Job, and she hosts the Thought Card, a podcast and blog about affordable travel and personal finance. Danielle’s incredibly financially savvy and managed to pay off $63,000 of student loan debt in just four years while still managing to travel. We recorded this this a few months ago and are still living in the pandemic of 2020. People are taking smaller trips, if they’re traveling at all. There’s uncertainty about jobs and the economy. What I especially like about my interview with Danielle is that she gives really sound financial tips that got her through the Great Recession without being extreme and robbing her of all the pleasures in life. We can make smart financial decisions and still invest in experiences, like travel, that give our lives meaning.I mentioned that Danielle gives some great financial tips, but I will note that we are obviously not financial advisors, so talk with one of them if you want to seriously plan your money :)postcardacademy.cosarahmikutel.com???Create an irresistible, brand-building podcast of your ownWith more than 1 million shows in Apple Podcasts, it’s easy to feel like there’s no room left for you at the mic. But after we work together, you’ll cut through the noise with a standout show that lights you up, attracts your dream clients, and transforms your business. Find out more.

Making Travel a Financial Priority with Guest Danielle Desir

We are back with Vanessa Bouvry, a sophisticated Parisian living in Boston, and she is spilling the Boston baked beans on all the cultural and culinary experiences you should have in the U.S.’s most historic city. We discuss:celebrating Marathon Mondayexploring the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museumshopping in Boston Markettouring Fenway Parkeating at Top Chef restaurants quacking on Duck Tourstouring MIT (and using their bathrooms)and moreYou’ll learn about cannoli rivalries, secret restaurants, art theft, and off-the-beaten path hidden gems.***I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Did you know I host another show called Podcasting Step by Step? Check it out if you’ve been wanting to start a podcast. Every week, I break down ‘how to podcast’ with a little loving motivation to give you the skills and confidence you need to finally launch that show of your dreams. Ready to start your podcast right now? Check out Podcast Launch Academy.postcardacademy.co

Best of Boston Ultimate Travel Guide

Bean Town. Boston. Home of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. And also my home for awhile, both times as a student. But this was years ago. That’s OK, some things in Boston haven’t changed in centuries.Today we are talking with Vanessa Bouvry, a Parisian who’s made her home in Massachusetts. Vanessa is Associate Director of Program Development at my alma matter, Emerson College, where I got my MFA in creative writing. Boston is known as America’s European City, and it’s a city of firsts in the United States: First public parkFirst subwayFirst public library First newspaper First telephone First post office And it’s home to the oldest pub and continuously running restaurant in the U.S.In this episode you will learn where to go to experience this history for yourself. We’re talking Freedom Trail, State House, and where to find the best treasure trove of Halloween candy in the entire city. You’ll also hear Vanessa’s unique story of how she, as someone born in France, can live and work in the United States, and the differences Vanessa sees in French and American culture. Enjoy the episode. Start your own podcastpostcardacademy.cosarahmikutel.comsay hi on Instagram

Historic Boston: America’s European City

Today I am back with THE History Fangirl, Stephanie Craig, a travel writer and an American expat/nomad based in Sofia.In the last episode, we talked a lot about cultural Bulgaria and its history.Today is a deep dive travel guide on everything you need to eat, drink, and do when traveling to Sofia, as well as day trips you can take.You’ll discover:* The best view in Sofia* Where to hang out at night* The best walking tour to go on* The best cafe to get work done* The beaches you should visit* And more.You’ll also get a real flavor of what it’s like to live in Bulgaria, and learn about:* How the pandemic is affecting Stephanie and her expat family; * What it’s like to give birth in a country that’s not your own and how much it costs;* Bulgarian bureaucracy; * And a culture tip that you need to know to avoid awkward situations with the locals.You will definitely hear a baby in this episode and one f-bomb that I had to leave in because it was just too funny.Enjoy the episodeThe cheerful musical interlude in this episode is called Calimba by artist E’s Jammy Jams.*************I'm your host, Sarah Mikutel. Thank you for spending some time with me today. Have you ever thought of starting a podcast yourself? Find out how I can help you.

Sofia: What to Eat, Drink, and Do in Bulgaria’s Capital City

Bulgaria — is it on your travel list? It’s on mine, especially its capital, Sofia, a city rich in Roman ruins and Byzantine architecture.If you’re a history lover who enjoys affordable travel and getting off the beaten path, then Bulgaria might be the place for you.Joining me today is Stephanie Craig, a travel writer and an American expat/nomad based in Sofia.She’s also one half of the Rick Steves Over Brunch podcast and former host of The History Fangirl podcast.In this episode of the Postcard Academy, Stephanie shares how she ended up in Sofia and why it’s better suited toward digital nomads surfing the Schengen Zone than expats (if you don’t know what the Schengen Zone is, you can go back and listen to the deep dive I did).Then Stephanie is going to take us on a whistle stop tour of Bulgarian history, which is filled with one occupation after another. We also talk about some must-see historical sites in Sofia, including:St. George RotundaBoyana ChurchPark VranaCentral Mineral BathsYou might hear a baby squeak or two in this episode as Stephanie is holding her little one throughout our discussion. He’s very cute.Enjoy the show. *************I'm your host, Sarah Mikutel. Thank you for spending some time with me today. Have you ever thought of starting a podcast yourself? Find out how I can help you.

Bulgaria Travel for History Lovers and Digital Nomads

Insider food, culture, and travel advice from women who packed up everything and moved across the world. Host Sarah Mikutel, an American expat based in the U.K., explores how to have more meaningful travel experiences and how to make living abroad a reality.

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Postcard Academy Travel Podcast

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