Two Fat Expats

Making Expat Life Large

Kirsty@shamozal.com

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What if we’d gone home after five years?

Kirsty and NIkki discuss how differently there lives may had been had they done what they’d originally planned. Kirsty’s favourites: Dinasaur: Hulu, SBS on Demand Fake: Paramount + Dark Waters: Amazon Prime Nikki: The Gentlemen: Netflix The Rest is Entertainment: Podcast

I’ve lost my hook

Starting a chat with someone new can be a little scarier when you’ve lost that expat hook. You know the chat – so how long have you lived here? Where are you from? Where did you live before you moved here? Nikki talks about her new intro chats as a repat and how she’s coping with conversations that seem to go nowhere. When were you your most confident as an.. Read More

Expats – The Series

This week we discuss Expats the television series based in Hong Kong. The series is adapted from the novel The Expatriates written by Janice Y.K. Lee. Nikki is 6 months in with her repatriation and has a very honest chat about being friendless and miserable. Our favourite things: Tiny Beautiful Things American Fiction Past Lives Taylor Swift The Eras Tour One Day Expats

How much money will I need?

What is a good salary in Doha? London? Jakarta? We’ve all seen the questions based on how much money you need to make to survive, today we have a new question. What’s been the biggest cost you didn’t foresee when you moved? What did you forget to factor in? We also talk about the grieving expat. Going through grief when no-one understands the enormity of your loss. How do we cope.. Read More

The Trailing Spouse is Dead

The Trailing Spouse is dead – this week on the podcast we talk about why the “Accompanying Spouse” has arrived. I mean the Accompanying Spouse was always a better term wasn’t it? We all walk side by side don’t we? Sidenote – the term Trailing Spouse will no longer be used in the Two Fat Expats Facebook Group with Accompanying Spouse being the preferred term. We’re also talking Posh and.. Read More

Should I go home?

This week on the podcast we answer a question from the Fatterati’s “Should I go home?” We also discuss the complications of re-acquainting yourself with old friends after repatriation. Kirsty’s three favourite things: Exposed (podcast) Deadloch (television) Travis and Taylor and everything EVERYTHING about them Ange Postecoglou and The Tottenham Spurs Nikki’s three favourite things: Sex Education Season Four (television) The Newsreader Season Two (television) Wilderness (television) What are you.. Read More

Repatriation – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Cry

🎧 Nikki has repatriated and she’s yet to make a new friend BUT it’s not all bad because she’s living in paradise AND she’s discovered her new favourite drink (a gin mule). This week on the podcast we’re talking repatriation, the good, the bad and the ugly cry. Kirsty’s three favourite things: The Girlfriends (Podcast) What’s love got to do with it (film) Matidlas (Disney + Doco) And I know.. Read More

Want to know the truth? Here’s some long term expat challenges you may not have thought about. Food discoveries from the Fatterati.

What are some of the unique challenges long term expats face? Savings and superannuation, self care and medical issues? Heart breaking friend break ups? Property ownership and all the tax implications that come with it? We ran through a few. We shared food discoveries from the Fatterati, what can’t you now live without? Kirsty’s three things: The Fablemans, Chris Rock, Benjamin Law article on Survivor experience Nikki’s three things: The.. Read More

Doing it live in Singapore

Welcome to our first live audience podcast recorded in Singapore – yes yes Kirsty was in Singapore in 2016 but it was a 4 kids, 20 suitcases and a beagle reading whereas this was the full package! The theme of the evening was friends. Kirsty asked Nikki will she have to change the way she recruits friends upon repatriation. What will be different? Nikki asked Kirsty How will you replenish.. Read More

The Realities of Repatriation

Nikki is dealing with the realities of the impact her expat life has had on her family relationships and describes how it feels like a bit of a “kick in the guts”. We talk about Kirsty’s book and its premise. Ever been described as excess baggage? Get ready for the reply. Three favourite things Kirsty: Meet Cute The Good House Helen had her baby – The gorgeous Wengel (meaning the.. Read More

How do you Repatriate with expat itchy feet

How will you settle? Expats traditionally have itchy feet so how do you settle when you’re heading home? How will you plan your expat year ahead? Or how will you divide up your time ahead? Now that expats are back travelling between countries what’s the most effective way to plan your year? Kirsty’s three favourite things: She said Steven Spielberg on Smartless  Have you ever taken your kids to a.. Read More

2023 – Episode One

How will you cope with no-one giving a flying fig about your expat life when you’re home for the holidays or repatriating? Kirsty and Nikki discuss why expats are hurt by friends and family that appear disinterested in their expat lives. Is it time to accept that you’re really not that special?  How will you deal with newcomers writing you off when they hear that you’re leaving? And how will.. Read More