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.

Postcard Academy Travel Podcast

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

I'm hearing people on the left and right grumble that the U.S. is going to hell in a handbasket. In this episode, I give my two cents on what patriotism really is and why we should stop letting the worst of us define who we are.

Happy 4th of July! Or Is It?

Did you study abroad? I spent a semester in London and it was one of the best times of my life. That experience definitely played a role in me moving to England permanently.But did you know that you can spend your entire university experience in another country?That’s what today’s guest did.I’m talking to my friend Candace Salter, a Florida gal who knew from the beginning that one semester abroad would not be enough. She wanted to graduate from a university in Europe, and in this episode you’ll learn how she did it, and how you can, too — or your kids or nieces/nephews.Candace is a fellow podcaster and a travel blogger and you can learn more about her and her adventures at her blog Candace Abroad.She’s got a very interesting story that’s taken her from the US to the UK to China to Thailand. Let’s dive in.

Extreme Study Abroad: When One Semester is Not Enough

Let’s talk about upgrading your weekends. I learned about this concept from Laura Vanderkam, the time management expert you heard on the episode on how to Stretch Time so You Can be More Productive and Pursue What You Love.Laura says that having a great weekend requires some planning, even for free spirits who are up for anything. Because a little structure can actually allow us to be more free, and avoid that disappointment that can come on Sunday night when we think, “There was so much I wanted to do and I didn't do any of it.”In this mini-episode, Laura shares how we can make more of our weekends in a few simple steps. We recorded this pre-covid, so you might get wistful when you hear us talk about restaurants and festivals. But surely there are fun things that you can be enjoying while we’re still in the pandemic. And if you’re listening to this in the future, then I hope you enjoy your dinner out this weekend and savor your freedom and good company. postcardacademy.cosarahmikutel.com

Upgrade Your Weekend

Most of us still can't travel right now thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. So this should be the perfect time to plan for future travel and adventures abroad. For some, this means creating an online business that allows them to work from anywhere. But...a lot of us are having a hard time focussing. There's a lot happening in the world right now. Plus, many of us are natural dreamers and/or are a little too research obsessed (rather than action-oriented).The goal of today's episode is to help you find your focus so you can do work now and spend more time enjoying your life later.I’m speaking with my friend Emily Prokop, podcast editor, host of the Story Behind, and co-host of the Hate to Weight podcast. Emily and I have a lot in common, including being recovering research-obsessed perfectionists. That doesn’t mean we’re natural planners. We definitely fall in the daydreamer category. But we have big goals we want to accomplish, and we want to help you achieve yours, too. Today, Emily and I are sharing our favorite routines and resources to make you a more productive podcaster. We recorded this a few months ago, but the tools and tips we share are timeless. Enjoy.Show notes

Find Your Focus

Are you feeling the need for some community right now? Some levity? Some fun? I have created a Facebook Group for us called Live Abroad and Love It (our first party is in a few days — details below).I have made some incredible friendships through this podcast and I want to meet more of you.This group is for serious travelers. The kind who would pack up and move to a new country for a few months or maybe forever.Whether you are a current or aspiring expat, nomad, and/or location independent entrepreneur, the Live Abroad and Love It Facebook Group is a place for us to connect and inspire each other to live our location independent travel dreams. We can share stories of the new cities in which we’re living. Share online business advice to help other location independent entrepreneurs. Ask logistical questions on how to make a move abroad happen. I’d really love this to be an inclusive place where we can lift each other up and help each other live a more freedom-filled life.I know social media can be annoying and a lot of us are trying to get away from it. But as many of us are still locked down during the pandemic, and a number of you have said your craving some human connection, so I’m going to host some online events — and perhaps even in-person retreats when we can travel again. Join the first online partyThe first online event is this Sunday at 2 p.m. Eastern Time, which is 7 p.m. London Time. We will be doing online vision boards, also known as dream boards. I’ve never done one myself, but they are supposed to be fun and visual ways to set goals for yourself. If you would like to join this virtual party, go to postcardacademy.co/party and I’ll send you the information. 

You're Invited to Join the Postcard Academy Community

Today I’m speaking with Crystal Davis, the Borderless Coach and founder of High Income Digital Nomad. Crystal’s mission is to help people build thriving and enjoyable businesses that let them travel and work remotely. We get into the nuts and bolts of how to get up and running with a profitable online business right now. We discuss: why conventional wisdom regarding online business keeps people in a long slog, and what you should do instead to earn the income you want; what kind of offer you should create;how to find clients;who you should sell to and who you shouldn’t target;the three daily activities you need to do to make money; and more.This isn’t the usual business advice you hear, and I think you’re going to love Crystal’s fresh, and effective, perspective. I’m such a fan of Crystal’s work that I joined her group program, High Income Digital Nomad, and I’d like to invite you to a free three-day training she’s doing starting on Monday on how to sell without feeling totally cringe-y and awkward. It’s called the 24 Hour Secret Sellout Launch.Let’s face it, if you’re going to have your own business, you need to master selling. You can join the training via my partner link at postcardacademy.co/highincomeIt is a live training, so you need to sign up this weekend, and then I’ll see you in the Facebook Group!

How to Start a High Income Online Business to Fund Your Life Abroad

Let’s move to Mexico, shall we? Specifically Playa del Carmen. Great restaurants, bars, beach clubs, and easy access to nature and ancient UNESCO sites. But the best part, is we’ll get to hang out with my friend Cristal, Dyer, also known as the Tofu Traveler, and one of my all-time favorite travel partners.On today’s episode, Cristal shares everything we need to know to have an epic holiday in Playa del Carmen. We might like it so much, we decide to move there, and she gives us great tips for that, too. ***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. Thank you so much for listening to this show. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best. This podcast is brought to you by Audible. Not a member yet? Postcard Academy listeners can get a FREE audiobook and a 30-day free trial if you sign up viaaudibletrial.com/postcard This podcast is also brought to you by World Nomads. Need simple and flexible travel insurance? Get a cost estimate from World Nomads using their handy calculator at postcardacademy.co/insurance 

How to Live Your Best Expat Life in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Are you ready to finally start that online business you’ve been thinking about?Figuring out where to begin is really confusing. And it only gets more confusing the more you get into it. Trust me, I’ve been there and if there’s one thing I’ve learned in starting my own business, it’s that we don’t have to go it alone. If I could do it all over again, I would have hired a coach to tell me exactly what I needed to do. Well, good news. My friend and fellow expat, Crystal Davis, is hosting a free 3-day training starting Monday on the exact process she used to create her own first 6 figures in online business. Don’t worry it’s not 3 full days of useless fluff. These will be tight and focussed trainings delivered over 3 days in a fun and active Facebook Group.  Crystal has helped hundreds of female entrepreneurs become location independent and make good income fast, which is the dream.I cannot wait for her trainings to start. Spaces are limited so you need to sign up this weekend.Sign up by going to postcardacademy.co/iamreadyIf you sign up, message me on Instagram. It will be fun to talk about what we learn together! 

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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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