Ever dreamed of packing your bags and moving abroad but worried about how you’d make a living?
Kiersten Brown did just that. At 27, she left California to move to Panama. She later found a program to teach in Spain, expecting to teach English. But when she found herself struggling financially, she …Ever dreamed of packing your bags and moving abroad but worried about how you’d make a living?
Kiersten Brown did just that. At 27, she left California to move to Panama. She later found a program to teach in Spain, expecting to teach English. But when she found herself struggling financially, she pivoted—building a successful freelance writing career from scratch.
Kiersten shares what life in Spain is really like, the biggest cultural and financial adjustments, and how she overcame income instability as an expat freelancer. Plus, dive deep on important topics like cost of living and whether Spain is actually a good place for remote workers.
Thinking about freelancing abroad? You won’t want to miss this. Let’s dive in!
Resources
• So You’re Inspired, Now What? A Guide For Women of Color on How To Use Inspiration To Create a Life You Love (book on Amazon)
Connect with Kiersten Brown
Website: https://www.kikimarieb.com/
Follow on Instagram: @kikimarieb15 (Link: https://www.instagram.com/kikimarieb15)
Follow on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kierstenbrown101
Other Episodes You’ll Love
• Moving to Argentina: How Laura Marks Transformed Her Career and Lifestyle As a Digital Nomad - Episode 181
• How To Break Into Freelance Writing with Terri Huggins Hart - Episode 20
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Panama is one of Central America's most underrated destinations. In this episode, Lisa is joined by Mandy Williams to discuss the best time to visit, where to stay, how to get around, the top things to do in Panama City, and memorable day trips to add to your itinerary. Whether you're planning a cou…Panama is one of Central America's most underrated destinations. In this episode, Lisa is joined by Mandy Williams to discuss the best time to visit, where to stay, how to get around, the top things to do in Panama City, and memorable day trips to add to your itinerary. Whether you're planning a couples getaway, a family vacation, or a solo adventure, Panama offers an incredible mix of lush landscapes, Caribbean beaches, and unforgettable wildlife experiences — all within one compact, easy-to-explore country.more
Join Mike Putman and James Ferrara from No Tourists Allowed as they recount their latest global adventures, from the bustling Panama Canal and historic Istanbul to vibrant Barcelona and glamorous Las Vegas. Discover thrilling travel tips and dive into a vital discussion on overtourism, but don't mis…Join Mike Putman and James Ferrara from No Tourists Allowed as they recount their latest global adventures, from the bustling Panama Canal and historic Istanbul to vibrant Barcelona and glamorous Las Vegas. Discover thrilling travel tips and dive into a vital discussion on overtourism, but don't miss your chance to win a 7-day luxury Alaska cruise for two with Princess Cruise Lines! Visit notouristsallowed.com now to enter the giveaway and gain invaluable insights on mindful, authentic travel from our decades of experience.
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Send us Fan Mail According to current trends, rail travel is gaining significant popularity in 2025 with data indicating a substantial increase in demand compared to previous years. So on this week's podcast travel expert Onanta Forbes will join me to discuss the rising interest in rail travel. Then…Send us Fan Mail According to current trends, rail travel is gaining significant popularity in 2025 with data indicating a substantial increase in demand compared to previous years. So on this week's podcast travel expert Onanta Forbes will join me to discuss the rising interest in rail travel. Then we'll head to Panama to learn all about the Hotel La Compañía del Valle in Panama. Support the showmore
Send us Fan Mail Up for discussion on our podcast this week is retirement havens. It came to mind from our travel expert Onanta Forbes who has returned from her adventures in Central America and while she was there she discovered a number of expats in the areas of Panama and Colombia so she'll join …Send us Fan Mail Up for discussion on our podcast this week is retirement havens. It came to mind from our travel expert Onanta Forbes who has returned from her adventures in Central America and while she was there she discovered a number of expats in the areas of Panama and Colombia so she'll join us to talk about some of those retirement havens. Plus, travel writer Jennifer Merrick will also join us to share her experience at the Wienhotel Freylich Zahn in Germany. And, Ken Stewart from Cro...more
Send us Fan Mail Travel expert Onanta Forbes continued her adventures in Central America last week so in in this week's podcast we'll catch up with her in Panama to see what she's been up to. Plus, we'll have our monthly visit with Dani Musse from Booking.com to get some insight on visiting the isla…Send us Fan Mail Travel expert Onanta Forbes continued her adventures in Central America last week so in in this week's podcast we'll catch up with her in Panama to see what she's been up to. Plus, we'll have our monthly visit with Dani Musse from Booking.com to get some insight on visiting the islands of the Seychelles. And, Ken Stewart from Crowfoot Travel Solutions will be along to give us a few destination ideas and travel deals with our Weekly Round Up. Support the showmore
"When Fabio and I first met, I was on vacation and he was at work. I was en route to Kuna Yala, an autonomous indigenous zone on the Caribbean coast of Panama, on a solo trip. As it happened, he was captaining a charter boat there, which offered an affordable way to cruise Kuna Yala. We met in the d…"When Fabio and I first met, I was on vacation and he was at work. I was en route to Kuna Yala, an autonomous indigenous zone on the Caribbean coast of Panama, on a solo trip. As it happened, he was captaining a charter boat there, which offered an affordable way to cruise Kuna Yala. We met in the dark at 5:30am in Panama City waiting for the bus out to the jump-off point for the boat.
We spent just a few days sailing together on that trip, with a motley crew of travelers, American ex-pats, a Panamanian party animal named Jorge (pronounced Jor-HEEEEEEY!) and the Kuna first mate Dino, but by the time I returned to NYC, I was already thinking to myself, “This Fabio guy has it figured out.”
I wrote to him as soon as I got home, and he replied with an offer to sail together again, someday. So began a long, strange correspondence between an urban planner fully immersed in NYC-living and a former psychologist now sailing boats in a remote locale, clinging to the mast for a whiff of cell phone reception.
Fast forward two years, and we are sitting together in Fairhaven Shipyard, on the south coast of Massachusetts, in a tiny sailboat that we co-own and have been refitting for the past 6 months. In the next week or so we will begin to move our boat down the US coast to warmer waters in Florida.
We finally had a going away party recently that ultimately convinced the majority of my friends that Fabio does exist and we are, in fact, sailing off into the sunset..."
Words by Kate Zidar.
Show premieres Sunday nights at 6 MST, streaming live online at Trail1033.com & locally (Missoula) on the Trail 103.3 FM
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This episode was recorded on location in collaboration with Xplorer Maps. We want to extend boatloads of gratitude to Xplorer Maps for their generous support of this podcast and international outreach programs paired with conservation projects. Learn more at XplorerMaps.com and be sure to follow the adventures of their story maps on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
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On this week's episode, Ryan takes us between two oceans to Panama. Pirates, Teddy Roosevelt, and propeller planes: what more could you want in an episode?
• Fonda…On this week's episode, Ryan takes us between two oceans to Panama. Pirates, Teddy Roosevelt, and propeller planes: what more could you want in an episode?
Is Panama one of the best places to live in the world? Hear from International Living's Panama Editor about the culture, cost of living, and lifestyle in Panama. She gives advice on buying or renting real estate in Panama and the most popular paths to residency, citizenship, and visas. Plus, she sha…Is Panama one of the best places to live in the world? Hear from International Living's Panama Editor about the culture, cost of living, and lifestyle in Panama. She gives advice on buying or renting real estate in Panama and the most popular paths to residency, citizenship, and visas. Plus, she shares cultural insights and comparisons from her recent trip to Argentina.
As both a Panamanian citizen and American expat with Indian roots, Jessica Ramesch has a very unique perspective of life in Panama. Listen in to hear her favorite hidden gems along with recommendations for integrating with the local culture as a foreigner.
"Once you belong, you belong." - Jessica Ramesh
Join Kristin, Jessica, and 200+ other overseas experts at The Ultimate Go Overseas Bootcamp: September 2-4, 2023 in Denver Colorado.
Special Offers:
• Apply for Relocation Support from Kristin
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• Get your ticket to the Ultimate Go Overseas Bootcamp
Topics Discussed in Episode 221:
• Moving to Panama as an expat/foreigner.
• Pros and cons of working on a cruise ship.
• Lifestyle and cost of living in Panama City: Best parts and deal breakers.
• Avg. rent prices and real estate in Panama.
• Tips for finding an apartment/house as an expat.
• How to get a visa in Panama in 2023 & Income requirements.
• Most popular paths to residency and citizenship for expats in Panama.
• What it's like to live in Coronado & How it's different from other beach towns.
• How welcoming is Panama to foreigners and American expats?
• Traveling to Argentina: The culture, language, and best ski destination.
Resources:
Recommended Videos:
• Top 10 Best Places To Live Well on $1,000 Per Month
• 8 Reasons I DON'T MISS Living in the USA
• I Asked Digital Nomads How They Make Money Living On A Remote Island 🏝 Related Podcasts:
• Living Like a Local in France & Italy: Language, Lifestyle, Cost of Living, and More
• How To Move Overseas With Confidence - Bigger, Better World
• Demystifying Expat Taxes: What to Know About Filing Taxes Abroad
• Getting a 2nd Passport and Living an Expat Lifestyle With Mikkel Thorup of the Expat Money Show
• How to Get Argentine Citizenship as a Foreigner with Will Newman
Best Places to Visit in Panama:
• Panama City
• Casco Viejo (Casco Antiguo) - Panama City's Old Town
• Restaurants: Donde José, Maito
• Coronado & Chame - Beach towns
• El Valle & Sorá - Mountain towns
• Bocas del Toro
• Portobelo
• Chiriquí coastline
Hidden Gem in Argentina:
• Bariloche - "The Switzerland of Argentina" (ski destination)
Other Resources:
• Buy Properties for Sale in Panama: Compreolalquile
