In this episode of Expecting Expats, Amanda and CJ delve into the complexities of maternity leave, discussing the pressures of productivity, cultural differences, and the often invisible labor involved in new parenthood. They share personal experiences and insights, emphasizing the importance of self-care, community support, and reframing expectations around maternity leave as a time of transformation rather than a break. The conversation highlights the need to recognize the value of care work and the unique challenges faced by new parents, encouraging listeners to give themselves grace during this significant life transition.

Podcast recommendations:

Unpacked - with Anna & Emma

Pink pill rx

In our first Expat Experts episode, we interview Annie Ueyama, cofounder of FitnessWerkstatt and extensive expertise in pre- and postnatal fitness. We discuss the often-overlooked topic of pelvic floor health. We explore the importance of pelvic floor training for women at all stages of life, the impact of pregnancy and aging on pelvic floor health, and the benefits of postpartum rehabilitation programs. Annie shares her personal journey as an expat and how sports have helped her build community across different countries. The conversation emphasizes the need for awareness and proactive care for pelvic floor health, as well as the importance of developing a good relationship with one's body.

Takeaways

* Pelvic floor health is crucial for women of all ages.

* Over one in three women over 55 experience urinary incontinence.

* Pelvic floor training is standard care in some countries.

* Annie's journey highlights the importance of sports in building community.

* Pregnancy and aging significantly impact pelvic floor health.

* A healthy pelvic floor supports core stability and overall well-being.

* C-sections still require pelvic floor training and care.

* It's never too late to start training your pelvic floor.

* Understanding your body is key to maintaining pelvic health.

Podcast recommendations:

• ​Pink pill RX: episode 40, Midwives, witches and Nazis
• ​Mel Robbins’ podcast
• ​Pelvic floor connection

In this episode, Amanda and CJ reflect on their personal journeys over the past year, discussing the challenges and triumphs they faced. They share a special ritual for setting intentions for the new year, emphasizing the importance of reflection and gratitude. The conversation delves into the power of manifestation and the significance of rituals in marking time and creating a sense of grounding, especially for those living as expats. They conclude with thoughts on their aspirations for the upcoming year and the importance of community and connection.

Takeaways

* Reflecting on the past year is essential for personal growth.

* Setting intentions for the new year can provide clarity and direction.

* Rituals help mark time and create a sense of grounding.

* Manifestation can be a powerful tool for achieving goals.

* Living intentionally can enhance the quality of life.

* Gratitude is crucial in recognizing our privileges.

* Being an expat presents unique challenges and opportunities.

* Community and connection are vital for support.

* Writing down wishes as if they are already true can aid in manifestation.

* The journey of parenting is filled with ups and downs, and reflection helps navigate it.

A special thanks to @thatglagowwitch for the inspiration!

CJ and Amanda shares their personal experiences and best tips for building your community abroad.

Here’s the main takeaways:

1. Put yourself out there — community starts with brave first steps

Both hosts emphasize that building a village doesn’t happen passively. You need to take initiative:

* Say yes to “blind-date” coffees

* Join meetups (e.g., InterNations, “new to Frankfurt” events)

* Attend language classes or pregnancy/parent groups

* Accept invitations even when it feels awkward

Almost every friendship they formed began with taking a small social risk.

2. Shared experiences create the strongest connections

The transcript shows that community abroad often forms fastest around common life phases or needs, such as:

* Being new to the country

* Learning the language

* Having pets

* Pregnancy classes or young-kids groups

* Being an international living far from home

These “we’re all in the same boat” situations naturally bring people together and make it easier to bond deeply.

3. Build both international support and local integration

A balanced community abroad includes:

* International friends who offer emotional familiarity, understand holidays, and “adopt” you like family

* Local connections that help you integrate, navigate bureaucracy, learn the language, and support your kids in school

Even though connecting with locals can be harder (language barriers, established circles), both hosts agree that learning the local language and making some local ties helps you feel truly rooted.

Podcast links:

Mel Robbins Podcast Episode 283- It's Not You: The Real Reason Adult Friendship is So Hard & 3 Ways to make it easier: https://open.spotify.com/episode/55RjbE6ffgz4hcsLnOkNW5?si=bc14dc28aab744aa

Amanda and CJ checks in, with a surprise recording from thanksgiving morning, where they talk about the different holiday traditions and why they find it important to keep them going, while living abroad. They also share what they are grateful for, and invite all their listeners to do the same.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

In this episode of Expecting Expats, CJ and Amanda share their weekend experiences, discuss the complexities of family life, and delve into their breastfeeding journeys. They explore the emotional and physical challenges of breastfeeding, the societal pressures surrounding it, and the importance of support systems for new mothers. The conversation also touches on cultural differences in breastfeeding practices and the resources available in Germany to assist mothers in their breastfeeding journeys.

Resources:

Le Leche League

The Womanly art of breastfeeding

Your baby’s microbiome

Podcast recommendations:

Therapy Talk (Johanne Svensson)

The Longest Shortest Time podcast (by Hilary Frank)

In this episode of Expecting Expats, Amanda and CJ welcomes back Kari to share her recent birth story of baby number 3! Kari discusses her experience giving birth to her third child, Solveig, where she barely made it to the hospital, and didn’t have time to get any pain medication.

The conversation touches on the logistics of managing multiple children, answering work emails while having contractions, and the emotional aspects of childbirth, and the importance of advocating for oneself.

CJ and Amanda share the funny, shocking and emotional cultural surprises during their pregnancies in Germany.

Podcast recommendations: The Positive Birth Story Podcast