ABROADly Speaking

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Podcast by Mistelle Godlewski

ABROADly Speaking

Welcome to Abroadly Speaking—where we’re not just talking about life abroad; we’re living it, challenges and all. Hosted by Mistelle Godlewski, a three-time expat with a serious knack for navigating life far from home, this podcast cuts through the glossy Insta-perfect scenes and gets real about what it takes to thrive overseas. Every episode, we dive into the unfiltered side of moving abroad—culture shock that’ll hit you sideways, the endless paperwork nobody warns you about, and the moments that make you realize why you took the leap in the first place. You’ll get stories that don’t hold back, practical tips you’ll actually use, and a community that’s in it with you. Whether you’re just dreaming or already living that overseas life, Abroadly Speaking is your passport to living your dream life beyond borders. We’re here to make the journey smoother, more connected, and more fulfilling—so grab your passport, hit play, and let’s dive into this adventure together!
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Latest episodes

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15 December 2025

Pay Yourself First If You Want to Move Abroad (Why Saving Isn’t Your Real Problem)

In this episode of ABROADly Speaking, I break down why most people who say they want to move abroad never actually do — and why it’s not because they “don’t make enough money.”

We’re talking about paying yourself first — not in a Pinterest, envelope-stuffing, aesthetic-budget way — but in a real, grown-adult way that actually funds your future instead of reacting to exhaustion, convenience, and emotional spending.

If you keep telling yourself you’ll start saving after things calm down, after you do more research, or after there’s money left over (spoiler: there never is), this episode is for you.

I explain why your move abroad isn’t a hobby — it’s an exit plan — and how starting with as little as $10 can shift your priorities, your behavior, and your timeline faster than any perfect budget ever will.

We cover:

  • Why “not enough money” is usually a priority problem, not an income problem
  • How paying yourself first actually works when life is already expensive and overwhelming
  • Why waiting to save “what’s left” guarantees nothing ever happens
  • The simplest way to start funding your move abroad without blowing up your life

This is a grounded, practical episode for anyone who’s done Googling, done spiraling, and ready to stop performing planning energy — and actually move.

Departure Lounge

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13:22

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07 December 2025

The Real Reason You Can’t Stop Thinking About Moving Abroad

This is the episode where I say the quiet thing out loud:

You’re not thinking about moving abroad because you want adventure or aesthetics or to live your “best life in Europe.” You’re thinking about moving abroad because something deep in your body has realized you can’t keep living the way you are now.

This isn’t escapism.

It’s Maslow’s hierarchy.

Your foundational needs aren’t being met anymore — safety, stability, belonging, identity — and your nervous system is trying to move you toward someplace where you can actually breathe.

And yes, it’s scary.

And disorienting.

And you probably feel guilty for wanting something more.

But you’re not crazy.

You’ve outgrown your life.

This episode is the grounding.

The “you’re not alone.”

The “you’re not making this up.”

The “you’re allowed to want the exhale.”

We’re talking about how the body knows before the mind does, how to listen when your life starts feeling too small, and why moving abroad scared is still moving abroad.

No hype.

No fantasy.

Just truth.

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14:35

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01 December 2025

The Truth About Money and Moving Abroad (That No One Wants to Admit)

Today we’re talking about money.

Not budgeting tips. Not “stop buying coffee.” Not manifesting abundance under a full moon.

We’re talking about the sentence everyone throws around when they think about moving abroad:

“I just can’t afford it.”

And we’re going to look at whether that’s actually true… or whether it’s the excuse that feels safest to say out loud.

Because sometimes? The math is the math.

But a lot of the time, “I can’t afford it” really means:

“I’m overwhelmed. I’m scared. I don’t know where to start. I don’t want to look at the numbers because the numbers make everything real.”

This episode is your call-out and your relief:

  • If money isn’t the real problem, you’ll finally see what is.
  • And if money is the problem, you’ll walk away knowing exactly how to approach it — without panic, self-blame, or pretending you’re going to suddenly become a different person on January 1st.

No shame. No delusion. No “someday.”

Just honesty, clarity, and your next move.

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11:25

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23 November 2025

How Much Do You Actually Need to Move Abroad?

Today we’re talking about money.

Not in the “stop buying coffee” way (absolutely not), but in the real, strategic, let’s-actually-do-this way.

If you’ve been waiting to hit a “perfect savings number” before you move abroad… this is your episode.

Because that number you keep chasing?

It’s probably not based on math — it’s based on fear.

Which means it will always move.

Which means you will always feel like you’re not ready.

In this episode, we break your move abroad into three actual financial phases — before, during, and after — so you can see what things actually cost, where your money needs to go, and how to stop saving for a fictional scenario no one is living in.

We’re letting go of panic-savings and replacing it with clarity, pacing, and a timeline that makes sense.

No shame.

No overwhelm.

Just a real plan that lets you start.

If you want 2026 to be the year you actually go — not the year you “think about going again” — this one matters.

Join the Departure Lounge

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16:54

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16 November 2025

How I Moved Abroad with $2,000 (and Paid Off $9K of Debt in Year One)

People love to assume you need $20k in savings, a remote job, and a color-coded shipping spreadsheet to move abroad.

Cool. Cute. Not my story.

In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly how I moved to Switzerland in 2013 with $2,000 in the bank, two cats, cancer recovery still happening, and absolutely zero idea what I was doing — including the part where we had to borrow money because we needed three months of rent upfront and had no clue deposit insurance existed (yes, I will be screaming about that forever)

I also talk about moving again — to Austria with a baby, then back to Switzerland during the pandemic — and what those moves cost too. (Spoiler: both under $1,200 out of pocket.)

If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t move abroad until I save a huge amount of money,” this episode will challenge that — in a real, non-delusional, no-manifesting-required way.

Yes, moving abroad takes planning.

No, it doesn’t have to take a lifetime of savings.

move abroad on a budget, cost to move abroad, moving to Switzerland costs, how to move abroad cheap, abroad

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21:57

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09 November 2025

Your Job Title Doesn't Mean Sh*t Abroad

That fancy title you’re proud of? The one that made you sound important at home?

Yeah, it doesn’t translate internationally — and it’s probably the reason you’re getting ghosted.

In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly why U.S. résumés fall flat overseas, how your job title is confusing recruiters, and what to actually do instead if you want to get noticed (without rewriting your entire career).

If you’re serious about landing a job abroad, stop praying to the LinkedIn gods and start speaking the language employers actually understand.

Let’s make your résumé make sense — before it ends up in another black hole.

Join the Get Hired Abroad Challenge.

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24:03