logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
34 m

[THE BITTERSWEET PAST] A Day in the Life...

Expat, Repat, Travel, Rome, Seattle, Books, Art, Italy, Wonder
About this episode

Who remembers what life felt like during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, when cities and entire countries were shutting down right and left? Believe it or not, it all started five years ago this month! So we are digging back into our archives to bring you episodes from that momentous time all month long.

On this episode, which originally aired on April 5th 2020, we ask our listeners:

What does a day in the life of someone under lockdown look like? And they responded, offering a peek into their lives throughout the course of a day. We also offer our own. 

From Lynn in San Francisco as she studies Italian to Scott trying to find some space for himself in his basement, from Madeline in Menlo Park remembering to be thankful to best-selling author Jess Walter who is very used to working from home.

From Nancy in Wisconsin dealing with spring snowfall to Theresa in Port Townsend in a hailstorm to Jill in Manhattan, where the only sound on the city streets is the chirping of birds, and many, many others.

We got so many glimpses into the lives of our diverse listeners that we had to divide this episode into two parts. But don’t fret—the second part is available here.

***The Bittersweet Life podcast has been on the air for an impressive 10+ years! In order to help newer listeners discover some of our earlier episodes, every Friday we are now airing an episode from our vast archives! Enjoy!***

-------------------------------------

COME TO ROME WITH US: For the third year in a row, we are hosting an intimate group of listeners for a magical and unforgettable week in Rome, this October 2025! Discover the city with us as your guides, seeing a side to Rome tourists almost never see. Find out more here.

ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.

BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more.

TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue.

START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider Libsyn for your hosting service! Use this affliliate link to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up.

SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps.

WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured!

NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET

BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon.

TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!

 

Up next
Aug 18
The Bittersweet Past: Back to Reality
On last week’s archive episode, we talked about fantasy, and the benefits and pitfalls of focusing on and working toward your personal fantasies. But somehow, no matter how hard we try, reality always seems to intrude upon fantasy. Is that always a bad thing? Our thoughts might s ... Show More
28 m
Aug 11
The Bittersweet Past: Sometimes a Fantasy
How much of life is us trying to fulfill the fantasies of our youth? And is there anything inherently wrong with weaving fantasies and attempting to fulfill them? Is reality overrated? We explore this idea on this episode from our archives. The Bittersweet Life podcast has been o ... Show More
30m 47s
Aug 4
The Bittersweet Past: The Infamous Hat Box Episode
It began with a simple question: what's the most impractical thing you have ever traveled with? Little did we know it would turn into one of our favorite (and perhaps silliest episodes) as Tiffany reminisces about her earliest trips abroad in the 1990s, when bringing two hat boxe ... Show More
36m 41s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2024
Get to Know Us and Our Podcast (2024 Update!)
179: It’s been over three years since we started the podcast, so we thought a proper re-introduction was overdue! Even though we do a catch up at the beginning of each episode, we know there are a lot of new listeners who stumble upon our show and haven’t been around to hear the ... Show More
43m 46s
Dec 2020
Bonus: Season Seven Wrap-Up
The ladies reflect on the latest season! Do Kristen and Jolenta have any new revelations since living by the books of Season 7? What stuck and what was pure torture? Join the By The Book Patreon Community! For $5 per month, you receive a new book summary, including all the rules ... Show More
55m 26s
Aug 2024
The Poetry of Modern Storytelling, with Olivia Gatwood
A poet, performer, novelist and screenwriter, Olivia Gatwood has received international recognition for her writing, which has focused on topics including coming of age, feminism, gendered violence and true crime. Her debut novel is Whoever You Are, Honey, a dark and brilliant st ... Show More
40m 46s
Feb 2025
New Direction of the New Truth (Season 3)!
In this final episode of Season 2 of The New Truth Podcast - Kate shares about the gifts that have come from going through this big transition, all the lessons that she's experienced from embracing the change - and the clear vision of what's to come in Season 3!! Stay tuned - exc ... Show More
35m 41s
Feb 2025
Ep.150 Having a Podcast (Season Finale)
EPISODE 150!!!???? Wow, what a season it's been! Join us for our season finale as we tell you all about our experience with WTJ and what having a podcast truly is like, the fun and the not so fun. Your support means the world to us, and we're so thankful for every downloa ... Show More
54m 39s
Nov 2024
A coach, a rescue and a life change
Catherine visits the villages of Barley and Barkway where she learns about history and hears about sudden life changes.Catherine Carr stops strangers to ask them “Where Are You Going?” and uncovers unexpected stories about people’s lives.---Named 'Podcast of the Year' by Radio Ti ... Show More
13m 42s
May 2022
Bonus: Season Nine Wrap-Up
The ladies reflect on the latest season! Did Kristen and Jolenta learn anything new living by your Season 9 book recommendations? What stuck and what was pure torture? Join the By The Book Patreon Community! For $5 per month, you receive a new book summary, including all the rule ... Show More
47m 20s
Mar 2025
S2. E6. The Most Powerful Life-Changing Lessons (Ft. Into the Story Podcast)
📄👉🏻 Download your FREE English Pronunciation Pack and get started with improving your English pronunciation today: https://pronunciationwithemma.kit.com/036cbfb50cIn this episode, in celebration on International Women's Day, Bree and I talk about some of the world's ... Show More
1h 14m
Aug 2016
Podcast #105 - Conspiracy Theories Pt. 4
Go to http://THETRACKER.com right now and enter Promo Code JENNAJULIEN for 30% off your ENTIRE order. For a FREE EXTRA MONTH of BarkBox, visit http://barkbox.com/JennaJulien when you subscribe to a 6 or 12 month plan! Welcome to the Jenna & Julien Podcast where we talk about all ... Show More
1h 21m
Feb 2016
Podcast #77 - Thoughts On Fine Bros' React World
Train your mind for a healthier, less-stressed life. Start your FREE TRIAL today at http://headspace.com/jennajulien Help keep the podcast free. Take the five minute sponsor survey at podsurvey.com/JJ and enter for a chance at winning a $100 Amazon gift card Welcome to the Jenna ... Show More
45m 9s