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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16 June 2025

You’re Not Overreacting — You Might Just Need to Move Abroad

Ever been told you’re being dramatic for wanting to leave the U.S.? That things will “calm down after the next election”? Or that “every country has its problems”? Yeah… no.

In this episode, I’m diving headfirst into the myth that wanting to leave the U.S. makes you unpatriotic, overly sensitive, or delusional. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. You’re not overreacting — you’re just awake.

If you’ve hit that point where you’re done coping and ready to actually go, this one’s for you. I’ll walk you through the four-part framework I use with my clients to plan a move abroad that’s real, legal, and grounded in reality — not fairytales or filtered travel feeds.

From choosing the right country, understanding your visa options, and building a practical budget (yes, three types of budgets), to gathering the mountain of paperwork most people don’t talk about — I’m laying it all out.

This episode is your unapologetic permission slip to take your desire to leave seriously. Because choosing your peace, your family’s future, and your mental health? That’s not selfish — that’s survival.

🎟️ Grab my free guide, 10 Ways to Save on Your Move Abroad/

📦 Need help with the actual logistics? Check out my ABROAD framework and mini courses.

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09 June 2025

Starve the Poor

In this episode, Mistelle goes all in on the brutal hypocrisy of “Make America Healthy Again”, the rebranded wellness rhetoric that’s gutting food assistance for poor and working-class families.

We talk about why this cruelty is making families question if the U.S. is still a place they can raise their kids safely and with dignity.

From WIC cuts and school lunch rollbacks to the slow suffocation of SNAP, she exposes how this administration weaponizes “health” to shame, starve, and control.

If you’re pissed off, you’re paying attention.

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02 June 2025

Moving Abroad: Tough Love Edition

If you’re stuck in the “one day I’ll move” mindset—waiting for more money, more clarity, the next election, or for your kids to magically turn into adults overnight—Estelle is here to lovingly shake you out of it. This isn’t a motivational fluff piece. It’s a reality check with sass, a splash of sarcasm, and zero tolerance for your excuse parade.

We’re talking:

  • Why “the right time” doesn’t exist (spoiler: it’s not coming)
  • How fear dresses up as logic (and lies to your face)
  • What Estelle’s $2,000-in-the-bank move looked like—and why she did it anyway
  • The 3 hardest truths you need to hear if you actually want to move abroad

✨ Whether you're stuck Googling “how to move abroad” for the 97th time or you’re paralyzed by perfectionism, this episode will either:

  1. Fire you up to finally take action
  2. Or give you the clarity that you’re not actually serious (yet)

Either way, it's a win. 🎯

🚨 Call to Action:

Ready to stop pretending you’ll move “someday”? Start with this:

→ Download your free personalized visa checklist: Take me to the quiz

🎧 Listen now and start moving—mentally and literally.

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26 May 2025

How to Move Abroad When You're Broke, Terrified, and Have No Clue Where to Start

This one’s for you if you’re staring down the chaos in the U.S., feeling broke as h*ll, and wondering if moving abroad is even possible (spoiler alert: it is).

In this episode, I’m walking you through what it really looks like to start planning your escape—from that first gut-punch of a realization that something has to change, all the way to researching visas without falling into a Reddit rabbit hole.

We’ll talk:

  • Why being scared is normal (and actually a sign you’re doing something brave)
  • How moving abroad is not just a cute Pinterest fantasy
  • The very first step to take if you're feeling overwhelmed and totally stuck
  • Why your “why” matters more than your budget at this stage
  • The mindset trap that keeps most people Googling instead of going
  • What to look for in a country so you don’t end up broke and burnt out
  • A basic intro to visas that doesn’t require a JD or a trust fund

This episode is your permission slip to start small, get practical, and remember you’re not crazy for wanting something safer, freer, and better for you and your family.

So grab your notebook (or just the back of an envelope), because we’re making this real.

Let’s go. 🌍✈️

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19 May 2025

Stop Wasting Time: 5 Job Search Mistakes Americans Make When Trying to Move Abroad

If you've been job hunting so you can move abroad and you're still stuck, this one's for you. Because here's the truth: you're not jobless because you're lazy. You're jobless because you're focusing on the wrong sh*t. And someone had to say it.

This week, I'm unpacking the five biggest mistakes I see Americans make when job searching for roles abroad—mistakes that waste your time, kill your momentum, and keep you broke (and still stateside). I’m calling out fantasy scrolling, fake productivity, and why your Pinterest board of European apartments isn’t a strategy.

We’ll talk about:

  • Why “just get a remote job” is garbage advice
  • What productive procrastination looks like (spoiler: it might feel like ‘research’)
  • The fantasy loop that’s tricking your brain into feeling prepared
  • Why picking your dream country first is actually backwards
  • The visa-job chicken-and-egg trap—and how to work around it

If you're ready to stop spinning in circles and actually make progress on your move abroad, this episode will give you the clarity (and kick in the butt) you’ve been missing.

Resources Mentioned:

👉 [Freebie]: Cover Letter Template

👉 [Masterclass]: Still Jobless, Stateside, & Stuck (Tuesday, May 27, 2025 @2pm EST)

Rate & Review:

If this episode gave you a wake-up call (in a good way), would you mind rating and reviewing the show? It helps more future expats find their way here—and out of the resume doom scroll.

Want help building your move-abroad plan—without the fantasy fluff? Come say hi on Instagram [@iammistelle] or visit mistellegodlewski.com.

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12 May 2025

How I Landed My Jobs Abroad

In this unscripted episode of Abroadly Speaking, I’m pulling back the curtain on exactly how I landed my first job abroad without a single sponsorship, raise, or relocation package in sight. (Spoiler: it involved a lot of 4am French conference calls, a couple of cats, and a very persuasive email to HR.)

People always ask, “How do I get a job abroad?” And the truth? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But I’m walking you through my very real, very non-linear path, from North Carolina to Switzerland (and a few pit stops in between), so you can see how you might pitch your own international move… especially if you’re already working for a global company.

Inside this episode:

  • Why “waiting for a sponsored job” isn’t your only option
  • How I negotiated a move abroad without asking for more money
  • The financial case that got my company to say yes
  • What to consider if your partner is the one being relocated
  • How we navigated multiple international moves while keeping both careers alive

✨ Plus: I’m hosting a free masterclass on May 27th at 2pm EST all about why your current job search strategies aren’t working—and what to do instead. If you're tired of being Still Jobless, Stateside and Stuck, you don't want to miss this.

👉 Register here

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