Holding the Fort Abroad
Episodes
#94 Part 2: How do you cope as a working parent with a traveling spouse? - with Rhoda Bangerter
04 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode takeaways:Series description:This is Part 2 of a podcast series for the partner managing life at home while their spouse/partner travels for w...
#93 Part 1: My Partner Travels for Work: How to Support Myself - with Rhoda Bangerter
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is Part 1 of a new series based on my book 'Holding the Fort Abroad' (HTFA). It is mainly for the partner managing life at home while the...
#92 Life Lessons from Frequent Business Travel and Global Relocations - with Flor Bretón-Garcia
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode Takeaways:Welcome to HTFA the podcast for families where one parent works away, and for those who support them. I am Rhoda Bangerter, here to ...
#91 Travelling Parents Part 3: Re-enforce The Bond Across the Distance - with Rhoda Bangerter
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Practical strategies for families when one parent works away. Part 1 is on the importance of naming your family structure to reduce stress an...
#90 Travelling Parents Part 2: Guide to Building a Connected Family Life - with Rhoda Bangerter
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Travelling Parents: Guide to Building a Connected Family LifePractical strategies for families when one parent works away. Part 1 is on the i...
#89 Travelling Parents: Guide to Building a Connected Family Life - with Rhoda Bangerter
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Travelling Parents: Guide to Building a Connected Family LifePractical strategies for families when one parent works away, and how naming you...
#88 Travel and Parenting in the Hotel Industry - with Andrea Schmitt
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Andrea Schmitt shares what it felt like to be the spouse of someone working the hotel industry and who travelled a lot. Listen to what helped...
#87 Creating a Life for Yourself
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Another episode from the Top Five most listened episodes. This conversation is with Margaret Ghielmetti. Margaret knows what it is like to be home alo...
#86 (Re) Build Intimacy in Long Distance Relationships - with Dr. Veronique Elefant-Yanni
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Clinical psychologist Dr. Veronique Elefant-Yanni guides us on how to (re)build emotional intimacy for couples separated by frequent business...
#85 Long Distance Relationships and what makes them work
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For the next few months, I will be publishing one new episode every first Monday of the month. The second monthly episode will be a replay of the most...
#84 Global Mobility and Split-Location Family Life: A Mother’s Story - with Susana Ortega Roig
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode takeaways:Define Your “Why” — Together: Susana Ortega highlights the importance of being crystal clear on your personal, familial, and p...
#83 People Care in Practice: Sustaining Family Wellbeing Business Travel
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Today’s episode is for anyone experiencing relationship strain due to frequent work travel or international assignments. My guest, Ian Orto...
#82 How to nurture parent child attachment when work travelling - with Todd Sarner
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:“Building an attachment culture, which is what I'm talking about, is a way to just make kids feel more connected more often. That doesn't d...
#81 Improve your long distance relationships with attachment - with Bryan Power
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Ever wondered how your childhood wounds impact your relationships? Today my guest is Bryan Power. He is the founder of make your relationship...
#80 Absences, Evacuations and Other Realities of a Diplomatic Spouse's Life - with Anna Skorobogatowa
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:In this episode, I sit down with Anna Skorobogatowa, a powerhouse diplomatic spouse, mentor, and founder of Not Just a Spouse. Anna shares ho...
#79 Love and Aid: Relationships in the Aid and Development Sector - with Julia Paulsson
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:“My conclusion is that at the end of the day, what matters is the strategies that couples use to navigate the stress. And this is sort of t...
#78 Personal Update - Holding on through Rapids -with Rhoda Bangerter
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:This episode is more of a personal episode as our family has been through a huge transition this year. I was also contemplating that it was a...
#77 August Announcement - with Rhoda Bangerter
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a quick announcement to let any new listeners know that I traditionally do not publish new episodes in August. It gives me a chance to pause a...
#76 Breaking Stigma of Men's Emotions and How to Build Supportive Habits - with Chris Moyer
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Men and emotions, a topic that often goes unspoken. This conversation offers insights and practical advice for men struggling to navigate the...
#75 How to: Frequent Business Travel, Parenting and Partnership – with Daniela Draugelis
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:As the spouse of a World bank executive for over 30 years, Daniela Draugelis has experienced firsthand the unique challenges and growth that ...
#74 Work, Love, Distance: Real Strategies For Couples Living Apart – with Pascale
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Today my guest is Pascale. She and her husband are living in different countries and working in different countries and she's going to share ...
#73 Expatriation, Repatriation and Commuting: Behind the Scenes of Expat Life – with Karlijn Jacobs
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Karlijn Jacobs supports organisations to enhance the success of international relocations through a family centered approach. She is the worl...
#72 Long-Distance Love: Handling Porn, Apps, and Real Talk – with Karina Lagarrigue
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:This episode dives into the complexities of intimacy, fidelity, and connection for couples navigating life in different locations. In this ca...
#71 Powerful Lessons from a Life of Constant Change – with Colleen Higgs
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Colleen Higgs shares her insights from many moves and times when her husband worked far from home. We discuss the hidden costs of chang...
#70 The Spaces In Between: Family Life in Constant Transition
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:"It seems to me that globally mobile people and people who live these geographical separations, we tend to have these ongoing non stop transi...
#69 Takeaways from 3 years of conversations on living geographically apart – with Rhoda Bangerter
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:In this anniversary episode, we celebrate the third anniversary of the Holding the Fort Abroad podcast! With 66+ episodes, the podcast carves...
#68 Anchor Yourself in Fitness: How to embrace Daily Exercise – with Mylene Jalladeau
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Mylene Jalladeau specializes in fitness for busy people. Join us as Mylene shares her holistic approach to fitness, emphasizing the importanc...
#67 How to improve communication for families living apart – with Kathleen Smith
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
SynopsisIn this episode, we explore how the C-Me Color profile can enhance communication and understanding for those living apart or frequently travel...
#66 How to prepare for geographical separation: Tips for families with one parent about to live abroad – with Rhoda Bangerter
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Living geographically apart can be a challenge, but with the right preparation and support, it can also be an opportunity for growth. I'm Rho...
#65 How to create psychological safety – with Elizabeth Vahey Smith
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Elizabeth Vahey Smith is back to talk about trauma informed leadership. Find out practical tips for parents on how to engage with their child...
#64 How to improve Sleep Health For The Traveller And The Stressed – with Funke Afolabi-Brown
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis: Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown is a distinguished medical doctor specialised in sleep medicine. We discuss the crucial impact of sleep on well-bein...
#63 How to respond when criticised for choosing split locations – with Rhoda Bangerter
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Welcome to Holding the Fort Abroad, the podcast about frequent business travel and working away from home. My name is Rhoda Bangerter and I h...
#62 How to be a strong family when miles apart – with Rhoda Bangerter
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:How do families stay together when work takes them away from each other? Wellbeing, Partnership, Parenting Together, Smooth Transitions and E...
#61 Super Commuter Couples and what keeps them together – with Megan Bearce
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Megan Bearce is a therapist, a speaker and the author of the book ‘Super Commuter Couples, the subtitle sums it up ‘staying together when...
#60 Coffee with an expat on split location – with Navine Eldesouki
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Navine Eldesouki shares with us what it is like living in split locations. She is the founder of Coffee with an expat, a community of women w...
#59 Prioritising Family: A Story of High Performance and Presence – with Christian Ray Flores
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Is a high performance life compatible with family life? Christian Ray Flores went from being a child refugee, a famous popstar, to the founde...
#58 How to create your family story – with Lidia Lae
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Create a strong family narrative that embraces diverse cultures and values to bridge any disconnect. In this episode, my guest Dr Lidia Lae e...
#57 How Companies Can Support Unaccompanied Staff – with Kathy Borys Siddiqui
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Today my guest is Kathy Borys Siddiqui, she is the founder of Active Action and she works with organisations, helping them support their staf...
#56 Embracing Adventure: Raising a Family with a Travelling Partner – with Jenny Butter
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Listen to Jenny Butter’s story and learn how she and her husband navigate family life and his frequent work travel. She begins her married ...
#55 Sharing my father with the world – with Michael Pollock
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Growing up as the child of a minister and a father who was also actively involved in cross-cultural work, had a profound impact on Michael. H...
#54 How to be a father and frequent business traveller – with Rhoda Bangerter
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:The ICAN Model helps you stay in touch with what is going on with your family’s life. If you are a father who travels, you may find it tric...
#53 Whose career? Yours, mine or ours? – with Yvonne Quahe
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:In dual career relationships, couples must navigate the challenges of balancing career and family responsibilities. Rhoda and Yvonne discuss ...
S’épanouir en expatriation: Un épisode en Français avec Florence Reisch
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:There are usually no episodes in August but this month I have a bonus episode in French for you. Florence Reisch has been an expat for many y...
#51 The Impact of Parental Absence on Childhood – with Katia Vlachos
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Katia Vlachos’ father was away during her childhood. During this episode, she graciously shares her story of realising later on in life the...
#50 – Solo Parenting Survival Guide for Summer: Keeping It Stress-Free and Fun
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:In this short episode of Holding the Fort Abroad, I give you four tips for your consideration if you are solo parenting during the holidays a...
#49 Know what to do with your emotions – with Elizabeth Vahey Smith
23 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:You feel anger, fear, sadness, resentment, disappointment? These can be intense emotions when living with someone who frequently travels for ...
#48 What makes you think I had an absent father? – with Lucas
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Continuing the series of Growing up with a Travelling Father, Lucas talks about his experience. Despite the financial constraints and the cha...
#47 He takes a break to check in with the kids – with Saadia
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Saadia’s husband has travelled throughout their 14 year marriage. They have also moved countries during multiple times during that time. In...
#46 “You have to behave while I’m away” – with Irene
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:In this compelling episode, Irene reflects on her childhood in Jakarta, living with her grandparents while her mother made a bold move to Gre...
#45 Embracing the World Through a Travelling Father – with Ophelia
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:In this episode, Ophelia opens up about the nuances of growing up with a globe-trotting father, an experience that came with its blend of adv...
#44 Learnings From My Life Story – with Rhoda Bangerter
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What you will learn:Dating long distance: UK/Congo. The first years of marriage, being a lovepat and not realising the travel involved in my husb...
#43 How to calm intense emotions with tapping – with Eleni Vardaki
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:How can tapping help you with loneliness when your partner is gone, taking big decisions (do we do the split assignment?), exhaustion or fear...
#42 Does one of you go? Tips for considering geographical separation
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:In this episode of Holding the Fort Abroad, I dive deep into the decision-making process for split location assignments. We explore practical...
#41 The Ties that Bind: People, Places and Purpose – with Megan Norton
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Join me in this conversation with Megan Norton on how fostering a sense of belonging can strengthen family ties. Megan is an intercultural tr...
#40 How Well Do You Know Exhaustion, Feeling Stuck And Resentment?
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:In this episode, I delve into the common challenges faced by parents whose partners travel frequently for work. I discuss the dangers of exha...
#39 The Long-Distance Family Dynamic – with Michael Sullivan
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Find out how the Sullivan family makes their split location arrangement work, what they prioritise, how Michael stays present as a father for...
#38 Embracing Work Travel And Family Life
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Today's episode is a special solo edition where I dive into the challenges and triumphs of families living this unique lifestyle. I explore t...
#37 Love Knows No Borders: Connection and Intimacy in long-distance relationships – with Phillips Hwang
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Does time geographically apart mean a sexless marriage? Whether under one roof or across continents, Phillips Hwang unpacks for us what healt...
#36 I don’t resent my globetrotting father – with Anaju
25 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:HTFA Episode #036, titled “Bonding across Distance: Anaju’s Tales of a Globetrotting Father”, explores how her family coped with her fa...
#35 How to be actively engaged as a parent – with Tanya Crossman
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:In this episode, I talk with Tanya Crossman about Negative and Childhood Experiences, feeling safe, and having a travelling dad. You will lea...
#34 Expat Hero and Transitions – with Nanna Hauch
27 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Nanna Hauch and I talk about transitions and how the Hero’s journey can help geographically split families with multiple changes at the sam...
#33 Primary Care Giver: A Dad Speaks Out – with Patrick Kadian
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Today, my guest is Patrick Kadian, an expat for 30 years, and also Mr. Mom (in his words). We talk about how he navigates being a dad with a ...
#32 Seven years of split location – with Florence Reisch
30 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Florence Reisch, her husband and children have lived geographically apart for 7 years. We talk about the difference it made for her to prepar...
#31 From adversity to a great adventure in Germany - with Carlos Baker
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Today my guest is Carlos Baker. We talk about his music, his new book, the challenges he went through in his childhood, surviving adult depre...
#30 It’s important for kids to be kids – with Kate Berger
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Today, my guest is Kate Berger. With Kate, we talk about the main message parents need to give to children, what to do when an older child st...
#29 How to be a family in split locations – with Dr Laura Anderson
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Dr Laura Anderson is a clinical psychologist and the founder of Common Chord Psychologist Services. She provides consultation services for mu...
#28 How to conquer stress with a holistic approach – Kirsten Pontius
04 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Today my guest is Kirsten Pontius. Kirsten is an expat, she is a wellness specialist. She works with individuals on their personal wellbeing ...
#27 Intuitive Eating – with Franziska Bauer Luxhøj
17 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Franziska is the founder of Be Happy Abroad. She's a coach, passionate about supporting internationals. She has experience of frequent busine...
#26 When a Mother Travels For Work – with Elizabeth Verwey
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Elizabeth has founded many businesses, she is a mentor, an author. She founded growatyourpace.com where you can find transformational courses...
#25 Being a Mother and a Frequent Traveller – with Karina Lagarrigue
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Karina is an adult third culture kid, a psychologist, a sex therapist, and a mother. She helps expatriated cross-cultural and frequent travel...
#24 Myths That Threaten Split-location Marriages – with Jennie Linton
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Jennie Linton is a certified life coach, about to complete a clinical mental health counselling program, she is a mom to 4 daughters and marr...
#23 I love you, see you on Friday – with Kate Gondouin
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Kate is British, married to a Frenchman and they currently live in France. She is a Facilitator, Certified Coach and Mentor. Her husband has ...
#22 Women Thrive - with Angelic Ingram
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Angelic is a Holistic Health Practitioner, Mindfulness Coach and author from San Diego, CA. She is also a volunteer with the Myositis Support...
#21 Ten countries and a world of experience – with Mariam Ottimofiore
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Mariam Navaid Ottimofiore is a Pakistani expat author, writer, researcher and economist. She has lived in ten countries as both a TCK and an ...
#20: Choosing split location – with Carole Hallett Mobbs
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Carole Hallett is an expat expert and host of the Expat Ability Chat podcast and founder of Expat child. After having lived as an expat, she ...
#19: Solo Parent, Be Strategic! – with Colleen Higgs
21 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Today my guest is Colleen Higgs. She and her husband have five children. As a professional turned mum, she knows what it is like to be frustr...
#18: 5 strategies to make business travel work
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:In this episode I share my acronym GREAT which helps to remember the five strategies to make business travel work for you and your family. Wh...
#17: Living the Distance: Lessons Learnt – with Arlette Chatlein
11 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Today my guest is Arlette Chatlein. She is no stranger to living far from her partner. Born in Curaçao, Arlette moved to The Netherlands whe...
#16: Relationship Care Giving – with Wiebke Anton
26 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Wiebke Anton is a relationship coach for people living abroad. In this episode, we talk about being a couple who moves and how we can priorit...
#15: Band Together! – with Becky Grappo
12 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Becky Grappo is an educational consultant. She works with families throughout the United States and around the world on planning their childr...
#14: A Military Spouse’s Perspective: Is a Military Spouse Stealing Respect? - with Richelle Futch
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Today my guest is Richelle Futch. Richelle has built and scaled multiple ventures across technology, education, nonprofit and service based i...
#13: A powerful visualisation method for living apart - With Bruna Toubia
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Today my guest is Bruna Toubia. She is multicultural, multilingual. She has lived in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. And she is trained in&...
#12: An invitation to deeper inner work – with Dr Neeta Ramkumar
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Dr Neeta is a US licensed psychologist living, practicing, and consulting internationally. Her online private practice includes therapy and c...
#11: Personal Reflections: Two Years After a Burnout
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
SynopsisIn this episode, I share a little about my burnout in January 2021, the panic attacks I experienced and the exhaustion that set in after a ser...
#10: Insights from an experienced solo parent – with Florence Chabert d’Hieres
19 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:International adoptee, born in Sri Lanka and holder of a French passport, Florence Chabert d’Hieres specialises in cross-cultural training ...
#9: Solo-parenting Teens – with Shellee Burroughs
06 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
SynopsisShellee Burroughs is a UK Registered Art Therapist. She has 10+ years’ experience counselling within the education sector, specialising in t...
#8: Creating an environment where children can thrive – with Matthijs de Rave
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
SynopsisFor many years, Matthijs de Rave worked as Sales Director for well known, worldwide insurance companies and was also an author of children’s...
#7: Staying Connected – with Kerry Byrne
04 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
SynopsisKerry is a researcher, collaborator and entrepreneur in aging, care and connection. She is the Founder of The Long Distance Grandparent, a mis...
#6: Parenting together long distance – with Sharoya Ham
20 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
SynopsisSharoya Ham is a behaviour change specialist and founder of Embrace Behavior Change. She is also a licensed teacher with over 25 years of expe...
#5: Facing the challenges of expat life, together – with Vivian Chiona
27 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
SynopsisVivian is the founder of Expat Nest, an online counselling service for internationals. She is a registered psychologist with Master’s degree...
#4: Life as Holding the Fort Dad – with Robert H
26 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Robert has many different skills, he’s been in the military, he’s been a teacher, he is trained as an engineer and he is the dad of two w...
#3: He Was Gone 85% of The Time – with Claire Hauxwell
25 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Claire Hauxwell is a professional badass (accompanying supportive spouse), writer, and coach. A trained Supply Chain professional and ex...
#2: An episode to share with your Parents & In Laws – with Helen Ellis
24 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Helen is NOT an expat, she is the mother of expats, a long distance grandparent and the author of a series of books on distance relationships...
#1: Creating a Life for Yourself – with Margaret Ghielmetti
20 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Synopsis:Margaret Ghielmetti knows what it is like to be home alone when she thought she was moving abroad with her husband and not moving abroad wait...
#0: Holding the Fort Abroad: What's it all about?
20 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
SynopsisIn this episode I talk about what you can expect from this podcast and why I am doing it. Extract from the book Holding the Fort Abroad: “Ho...