This Expat Life

#99 When a decision stops weighing on you (+ sharing my own!)

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

There’s something about when a decision has actually been made. Not just knowing what you want… But actually committing to it and taking the fir...

#98 The 3 things I say to myself to stay my course after a decision

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Co-Pilot are now open! There’s a phase in expat life I see again and again - and I’ve lived in it myself. It’s that in-between space ...

#97 Navigating expat life decisions as a couple, with Wiebke Anton

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if you’re navigating an expat life decision… But you’re not doing that alone? (by the way, doors to The Co-Pilot are open!) In this episo...

#96 My 3 goals and a big decision for 2026!

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The start of a new year is always very exciting to me as I set 3 big goals for the year that I can't wait to work on. But sitting here in Mexico City,...

#95 Part 2 - Getting ready for the New Year - 12 questions to set yourself up for a great 2026

29 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How can you make this year different from the last? The Space is closing its doors! I’m always incredibly intentional about how I want to start the...

#94 Part 1: Getting ready for the New Year - 12 questions for expats to reflect on 2025

27 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Back by popular demand after I did this last year!Here are 12 reflection questions that help you make sense of your year, who you've become and what y...

#93 2026 fresh start energy: How to create it before January arrives

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I’ve been thinking about the way we treat January 1st as if it’s some kind of magical reset button - a clean slate, a fresh start, the moment ever...

#92 Are you living in the Expat Waiting Room?

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about those chapters in life where everything looks “fine” from the outside — yet something deep inside whisp...

#91 What to do when you’re not okay (and can’t quite explain why)

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever had one of those weeks where nothing is technically wrong… but your body, your emotions, and your brain are all just slightly out of s...

#90 How I learned Spanish & Portuguese - Tips to overcome language obstacles

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever felt like language is the one thing standing between you and truly belonging abroad? In this episode, I dive into a question from a lis...

#89 I didn’t see this coming: the intuitive download that changed the game

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, I’m sharing a very personal story - one that honestly still feels a little raw. Out of nowhere, during an ordinary bike ride home, I got ...

#88 The framework I teach expats to make confident decisions

05 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever found yourself stuck in the same loop of overthinking - waiting for “the right moment” or a lightning bolt of clarity before making ...

#87 The 6 mistakes expats make when facing big decisions

27 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sign up here! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/join-the-co-pilot--- Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night, circling the question: “...

#86 Should I stay or should I go? The Expat Dilemma

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sign up here! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/join-the-co-pilotHave you ever found yourself lying awake at night, whispering the question: “Sho...

#85 When an expat goes back- but it's not the same

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever gone back to a place where you once lived, only to feel both comforted and strangely disconnected? In this solo episode of This Expat L...

#84 What this summer taught me about living an authentic global life - Personal reflections after a season of traveling

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It feels like forever since my last solo episode! After our wonderful Global Woman Summer Series, I'm back with some deeply personal reflections from ...

#83 Anne & Amanda on dating abroad, long-distance relationships & rethinking motherhood

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The last episode of The Global Woman Summer Series!Sign up here! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/join-the-co-pilot---In this honest, open-hearted...

#82 Anne Verhoeven on the in-between spaces of expat life, love, and taking leaps into the unknown | The Global Woman Summer Series

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

#81 Erica Reitman on rerouting your expat path and creating an inspiring life that reflects the real you - The Global Woman Summer Series

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sign up here! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/join-the-co-pilotEpisode 4 of The Global Woman Series! This summer, every week you’ll get to lis...

#80 Elle McPherson on navigating love & identity abroad - The Global Woman Summer Series

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sign up here! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/join-the-co-pilotEpisode 3 of The Global Woman Series! This summer, every week you’ll get to lis...

#79 Brigette Muller on navigating grief abroad - The Global Woman Summer Series

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

#78 Mickelle Weber on changing the relationship with our roots - The Global Woman Summer Series

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sign up here! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/join-the-co-pilotWe’re kicking off The Global Woman Summer Series of This Expat Life! (or Winter...

Everything you want to know about The Co-Pilot 2.0

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/the-co-pilot

#77 Building your dream (and guilt-free!) expat life with Ana Tello

15 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

#76 Where Should I Spend Fall? The 4 Pillars Behind Big Expat Decisions

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/the-co-pilotWhere should I go this fall? A couple of weeks ago I asked you this on Instagram as I want to spend a...

#75 Navigating love & dating in a global life with Candice Gallagher

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Candice and I are organizing a Global Girls Supper Club in London on September 4th - join us for a coaching workshop, fun and new connections! Tickets...

[business talk] The 4 pillars for the successful Globetrotter CEO

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Almost weekly I get requests from other coaches and (aspiring) business owners if I can have a virtual coffee with them because they want to hear how ...

#74 Will I go back to diplomacy?

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The #1 question I get asked is: Why did you leave your diplomacy career? Followed by #2: Will you go back? Which always surprises me because it's been...

#73 Personal reflections & my Great Reset project

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Life back home in The Hague was fine but I realized I was in “meh” energy for quite some time. And when I found myself crying on the plane - AGAIN...

#72 Expats, stop worrying about this when you face a decision

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/the-co-pilotAs an expat, one decision is never just about one decision - a question about your job leads to quest...

#71 Creating sustainable wellbeing habits as a high achiever abroad with Kea-Sophie Stack

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I host Kea-Sophie Stack, who transitioned from a 10-year career as an attorney in Munich to an entrepreneur in the wellbeing field in...

#70 What's waiting for you inside The Co-Pilot!

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Yesss, doors to my signature program have opened again! Are you ready to experience more fulfillment, confidence & direction in your expat life withou...

#69 The 2 mistakes high-achieving expats make in their personal life

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/the-co-pilotAfter having coached 150+ expats who feel unfulfilled, stuck, disconnected or lost (and having been t...

#68 Staying steady in a free, global life with Jennifer van Leeuwaarde

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Travelling fulltime with your son sounds like a dream, but is it really so? In this episode of This Expat Life I go beyond the conventional expat cont...

#67 How I make decisions without constant overthinking

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The #1 challenge expats come to me with? Deciding on their next big step. As an expat, a decision on your career or location has a huge impact on othe...

#66 10 tips to balance the shoulds & the wants in your busy expat life

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How do you balance all the things you SHOULD do and all the things you WANT to do as a busy expat? How can you make more time for your family when you...

#65 Staying fit & healthy as a busy expat in NYC with Amie Wiley

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How do you stay active, fit & healthy when you prioritise your career abroad? How do you stay committed to exercise when you’re just about to move c...

#64 Part 2 - Getting ready for the New Year - 12 questions to set yourself up for a great 2025

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How can you make this year different from the last? I’m always incredibly intentional about how I want to start the new year, so that I can ensure ...

#63 Part 1: Getting ready for the New Year - 12 questions for expats to reflect on 2024

30 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A new year is upon us! And many want to change something - big or small - about their lives.Getting into the habit of regular reflection is a great wa...

#62 The expat dilemma: Should I change the country or should I change myself?

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sign up for my FREE masterclass The Art of Clear, Confident Decisions in a Global Life on October 6th and 8th!https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/mas...

#61 The 4 Ds to be more consistent in your (emotional & mental) energy towards a goal

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Doors to my 8-week program The Co-Pilot are open NOW! Join us for 8 live calls and experience more fulfillment, confidence & direction in your expat l...

#60 7 quick tips to step out of your comfort zone

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Doors to my 8-week program The Co-Pilot are open NOW! Join us for 8 live calls and experience more fulfillment, confidence & direction in your expat l...

#59 Changing self-doubt for self-kindness with Akanksha Singh

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Akanksha is an ambitious management consultant and after two geographical transitions in 3 covid-years, she was left with a bit of a nagging feeling o...

#58 Finding your soulmate as an expat with Michelle Chung

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to find your soulmate when you live a somewhat unconventional life as an expat? Do you need to settle and compromise if you want to start a family...

#57 How to make the most of a new start (or of the final months of 2024)

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

[Only a few tickets left for my live event in Amsterdam this month!] September marks ‘back to school’ vibes for many of us, and makes us aware tha...

#56: My 3 biggest insights in California that led to a breakthrough

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I went on a business & leisure trip to California and left with 3 big insights that led to a breakthrough when I got home 🤩 Insights that I think m...

#55 The 3 steps to creating more fulfillment in your expat life

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Co-Pilot, starting again on June 30th! What if a part of you feels unfulfilled in your expat life? Whether that's in your career, relationships, h...

#54 Why many expats start to question their life choices in summer (+ tips on how to make the most of it)

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why is it that so many expats start to wonder about their life choices during summer.. And why I also book client after client? In this episode I shar...

#53 The 3 mistakes I made in Rio & what I’m doing differently now

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Download my new FREE resource The Wheel of Expat Life! You bring yourself wherever you go and in Rio… I brought myself too. Towards the end of my s...

#52 What's it like being back home again?! 🇳🇱 [personal update]

24 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The question I've asked dozens of time these past few weeks... What's it like being back home again?!And the answer surprised many - myself included 😅...

#51 Navigating international real estate with Josh from ExpatsEverywhere

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I sit down with Josh, an experienced expat who, along with his wife Callie, has lived in various countries since 2009, including Spain...

#50 Finishing 6 months in Rio - will I go back?

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Whoa, the past 6 months have flown by and I'm ready to return home after almost half a year in Rio de Janeiro! And, what everyone is asking me... Will...

#49 Why grounding yourself is a non-negotiable as an expat

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I know, grounding doesn't seem so sexy but it's KEY if you want to live a happy & fulfilling life as a busy expat. After all, there's a lot going on a...

#48 From corporate success to favela empowerment: Finding purpose with Diana Nijboer

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From jet setting around the Middle East as HR manager to finding your purpose working with kids in the favelas of Rio... Diana Nijboer made this incre...

#47 Unlocking your expat career with Keki Mwaba

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of This Expat Life, Amanda welcomes Keki Mwaba, founder of Expat Career Development, to discuss career advancement for international p...

#46 How I stay grounded while living abroad & single

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Living abroad can sometimes be a challenge or just simply super exciting, taking up all your time or headspace. Places to go, a job to excel at, decis...

#45 How inner work shifted her relationships, business & confidence with Floor Oosterlee

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Floor Oosterlee was living abroad and experiencing a vague, nagging restlessness when she saw one of my LinkedIn posts and decided to act on her intui...

#44: Delphine & Amanda on blazing your own trail and thriving beyond tradition

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Being a female globetrotter in your mid-30s with big ambitions often means you're not choosing the conventional path, which comes with both pros and c...

#43 What to do if you can't decide on your next move

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Big life decisions can be difficult for anyone - but I think for expats even more! Think about it: a decision on your career automatically has impact ...

#42 What might really be behind all your hard work

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There's something I started spotting within myself and with other high-achievers who get things done... Something that has often worked well, but whic...

#41 Building a professional personal brand as an expat with Ashley van Heiningen

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you have done so many different jobs in different countries, followed your spouse so there's a gap on your CV, or find it hard to break into t...

#40 My woo woo morning practice that has contributed to my success

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Before we start: I share all my woo woo practices (AND SO MUCH MORE) in my new course Touch Base! Get in for just €97 - doors close on 3 July.When I...

#39 Following your partner abroad as an independent woman with Nathalie van Haaren

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What if you're a strong, independent woman with your own career, and your partner of 1.5 year asks you to follow him abroad? Nathalie van Haaren knows...

#38 A personal update halfway into my stay in Rio

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I'm halfway into my 6-months stay in Rio and that got me thinking: How am I finding it? Listen to this episode to hear:- what I've been up to - how ...

#37 An open conversation about moving abroad with Tamara Stroop - part 2

28 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

And following up on the open conversation with Tamara Stroop (see the previous episode), here's part 2... With a plot twist!We had another call about ...

#36 An open conversation about moving abroad with Tamara Stroop - part 1

28 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Business coach Tamara Stroop and I had each just moved abroad - Tamara to Barcelona, me to Rio - and as we were talking about our experiences, we figu...

#35 The ONE thing you need to do if you want a change in your life

24 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There's one thing that's essential if you desire a big change in your life, which is also often overlooked. If you are ready to achieve a big goal, go...

#34 Moving abroad as an underrepresented minority with Iliana Quinonez

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As a seasoned female, latina & expat engineer in tech, Iliana Quiñonez knows what it's like to move abroad and stand out from others in the workplace...

#33 Why every expat should get a coach

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm sharing two personal stories of my time in London and Brazil when things were NOT going so well. An almost burnout and grief knocked me off ...

#32 The perfect storm that changed everything for me

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm sharing my 'origin story', the story of when a perfect storm really kickstarted my personal growth and made me the person & coach I am today...

#31 Making friends abroad with expat friendship coach Sarah Siegert

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's one of the things every expat at some point struggles with: friendships. It may be hard to find them abroad, to maintain your friendships back ho...

#30 All your questions on my move to Rio answered

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When I shared that I was moving to Rio I got the same questions over and over again.. Some of which even made me laugh! In this episode I answer them ...

#29 Home organising for expats with Manuela Weiss

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Expats do one thing more often than those who stay at home: moving! I feel like organising & clutter are relevant topics for expats simply because the...

#28 Dealing with a Not-So-Perfect Christmas 🎄

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christmas... I LOVE the holidays but they are also a trigger for me. Having grown up with difficult and unconventional family dynamics, the who/what/...

#27 New Year New You

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

New Year New You... Is it really possible? I think it is!Listen to this episode to hear what has been a game-changing method for me when it comes to r...

#26 Using LinkedIn for your expat career with Nyna Caputi

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Careers... One of the main topics for high-achieving expats! But  what can you do to build your professional personal brand, find job leads in the ho...

#25 Moving abroad as a family with Betina Pflug

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The one part of expat life I don't know at all... Moving abroad with your family! I always moved abroad as a solo expat so what it's like to move with...

#24 How I took the decision to move to Rio in just 4 days

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Taking small decisions in daily life? Not my forte. But the big bold life moves? No problem!I recently decided to move to Rio and I took that decision...

#23 Overcoming fear & doubt as an expat with Cinthya Mayorga

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcoming a guest to This Expat Life, and a very special guest: former diplomat - and my friend - Cinthya Mayorga!Cinthya is from Nicaragua and now li...

#22 Tips to keep your energy high as an expat (so you can thrive)

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Expat life takes a lot of energy and just like with entrepreneurship, you also need to rely a lot on yourself. Whether it's about finding friends or m...

#21 The power of a community & having a coach by your side

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I share some (pretty personal!) examples of the power of community and of having a coach by your side that I saw in my life last week....

#20 Navigating life as latina in the Netherlands with Claudia Arroyo

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcoming another guest today: Claudia Arroyo - or better known as latina in The Netherlands!Claudia is Peruvian and has lived in The Netherlands for ...

#19 Become the CEO of your expat life

03 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Become the CEO of your expat life, so you can thrive abroad!I want you to thrive & flourish in your expat life - not just survive. And you can do that...

#18 On diplomacy & expat life with former ambassador Kees van Rij

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcoming a guest of honour to This Expat Life today: retired ambassador Kees van Rij! Kees was a Dutch ambassador to Turkey, Spain, Greece and Brazi...

BONUS: The cultural & personal dynamics of living abroad - Netherlands edition - with Coco Hofs

18 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is a recording of a LinkedIn stream Coco and I did on the personal & cultural dynamics of living abroad (and specifically: in The Netherlands).Li...

#17 Personal: a recap of 3 years back home

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Returning home is definitely the hardest part of expat life - or at least that is what it was for me. Today, as this episode comes out, marks exactly ...

#16 Being a parttime expat in the Netherlands & Switzerland with Puck Landewé

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Another fantastic guest on the show today! I'm speaking with Puck Landewé, founder of start-up Elfin and on a mission to making women financially ind...

#15 Space, mindfulness & conscious decisions with Esther Grootenboer in Norway

04 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I speak with Esther Grootenboer, a Dutch psychiatrist who moved to Norway with her family. Esther shares what it's like to continue he...

#14 Make expat life a smooth ride by knowing the 7 phases

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Expat life isn't a stagnant line, just like normal human lives. I identified 7 typical phases that often occur, and knowing what they are about helps ...

#13 Building a jazz career in the US with Vivienne Aerts

20 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For This Expat Life I spoke with someone who has a successful career in something I know very little about... jazz music!In this episode the Dutch, Ne...

#12 Changing your mindset to Yes you can!

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"No, you can't do that""No, that's not for you""No, you are too old / too young / not smart enough / not capable enough for that"Etc etc... How often ...

#11 A roadmap to building communities around the world with Marcel Wijermars

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The one struggle that almost all expats talk about? Finding a new, fun & meaningful social circle that fits in with your life. Am I right?!But creatin...

#10 What expats can learn from a long-distance hiker with Willem van Uijen

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Well - a lot! In today's episode I speak with Willem van Uijen, a business friend of mine. Even though he's not an expat, I figured his 5-month(!) sol...

#9 10 tips to stay sane & organised as a busy expat when travelling non-stop

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This one is for you, chaotic, overwhelmed or busy expat who's travelling a lot!I've been in your shoes - when I lived in Brazil, I had trip after trip...

#8 Staying positive while living abroad with Amandine P. Ruiz

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode I talk with Amandine P. Ruiz, one of my coachees. Living in Belgium now, the French-Panamian Amandine is an example of staying posi...

#7 Nothing changes if nothing changes - How I took the leap from diplomacy to coaching

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The one question I always get asked when I share my professional journey: "how did you make the leap from diplomacy to coaching?!". Well, in this epis...

#6 My experience as a diplomat

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know I worked at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs for nearly 7 years?In this episode I share my personal experience of being a diplomat a...

#5 Tumi Sineke on intentionally designing her life in Norway as a South African expat

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tumi Sineke is a South African entrepreneur currently residing in Oslo, Norway. I loved talking to her about how she intentionally designed her new li...

#4 Coco Hofs on how knowing how you perceive different cultures can save you so much time & frustration

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"I wish I had known this when I lived in Brazil!" was my thought after interviewing Coco Hofs. Coco explains so clearly that your personal preferences...

#3 7-figure entrepreneur Celine Charlotte on how she found her home in Sedona, entering new business markets and what she did to strengthen her belief in herself

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I speak with online entrepreneur - and my personal example - Celine Charlotte. Celine has been a huge inspiration for me not only when...