Today I'm chatting with an old dear friend from Amherst College, Allie Canton who is a meditation teacher and the author of Practically on Purpose, a Substack and podcast for high achievers who collected all the gold stars and are now looking for deeper meaning, purpose and joy. She's also a healthcare technology lawyer advising high-growth startups and volunteers with causes supporting health care access and immigrants' rights across the Hudson Valley.In this conversation, we explore the themes of community, immigrant experiences, and the importance of family. We discuss our educational journeys in elite institutions, the challenges of navigating career choices, and the cultural differences in parenting. The conversation highlights the significance of building connections in new environments, the balance between work and personal life, and the role of spirituality in our lives.
Check out Allie's Substack Practically On Purpose
and keep up with me on Instagram @nneya
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene
07:33 The Impact of Community and Responsibility
10:25 Navigating Education and Career Choices
13:20 Cultural Identity and Family Support
16:12 Experiences in Higher Education
19:10 Building Community in Corporate Environments
25:41 Navigating the Startup Culture
28:11 Balancing Work and Personal Life
31:39 The Impact of Environment on Well-being
35:13 Rebuilding Life with Intention
38:38 Creating Community in New Surroundings
44:34 Supporting Community and Institutions
45:21 Navigating Friendships and Career Changes
47:23 Shifting Perspectives on Work and Identity
48:45 The Importance of Family Time
51:03 Cultural Differences in Parenting
53:24 Community vs. Individual Happiness
55:54 Innovation and Tradition in Society
58:44 Embracing Chaos and Creativity
01:04:31 Defining Home and Belonging
01:05:28 Building Home outro - 2:4:25, 2.59 PM.mp3
In this episode of Building Home, I share my insight on the au pair experience, drawing from my own time aupairing in Italy and discussing a recent news story about an American au pair who fled her host family. I explore the cultural differences and challenges faced by au pairs, contrasting my positive experience with that of the young woman who struggled. The conversation also delves into the Netflix show 'The Secrets We Keep,' which examines the complexities of the au pair system and the dynamics of domestic help, highlighting issues of privilege and cultural exchange.
Thanks for listening! Like, subscribe, leave a review or comment and follow me on Instagram @Nneya
This is the real life Under the Tuscan Sun... but in Abruzzo... and you don't have to be retired. You can buy that affordable home in Italy now, for you and your family. It's wildly different but Cassie and her fam is making it work! Nneya speaks with Cassie of @RootlessInItaly about her journey from the US to Italy, exploring themes of cultural integration, parenting, and small town community dynamics. Cassandra shares her experiences of giving birth in the Czech Republic, the challenges and joys of raising a multilingual child, and the process of renovating their home in Italy. They discuss the one euro house phenomenon and the implications of gentrification in small towns, emphasizing the importance of community and connection in their new life abroad.
Follow Cassie on Instagram
and me @nneya
In this engaging conversation, Nneya Richards and Sofía Zanotti explore the themes of community building, entrepreneurship, and cultural differences in parenting as they navigate life in Bergamo, Italy. Sofi shares her journey as a founder of the Perla community, emphasizing the importance of connection among international women. They discuss the unique aspects of parenting in a new country, the beauty of Bergamo, and Sofía's journey from Paraguay to building her home in Northern Italy. The conversation highlights the significance of patience and the joy of creating a vibrant community and is recorded live at Perla cafe in the city of Bergamo!
Follow Sofía and the Perla community on Instagram
@perla_community and @sofizanotti
and me @nneya
If Portugal has been on your destination bucketlist for a while, listen to this podcast before you book your flight! In this engaging conversation, Nneya Richards speaks with Margo Gabriel, a Haitian-American journalist and culinary expert based in Lisbon, Portugal. They explore Margo's journey from Boston to Lisbon, her experiences as a Black woman in both cities, and the vibrant culinary scene that reflects her heritage. Margo shares insights on the evolving food culture in Boston, the challenges of moving during the pandemic, and the importance of community and storytelling in her work. The discussion also touches on the complexities of race, identity, and the collaborative spirit of Lisbon's food scene, culminating in Margo's upcoming projects that celebrate Afro-diasporic culture.
Follow more of Margo's Portguese culinary pursuits on Instagram @margoscreativelife
And me @nneya
Leave a rating and let us know what you think!
In this episode of Building Home, host Nneya Richards speaks with Bettina Prentice, a renowned curator and cultural strategist, about her journey from New York to London, the art of hosting salons, and the importance of community in the contemporary art world. They discuss the role of artists in society, the significance of spirituality in art, and the cultural differences between New York and London. Bettina shares her experiences with the Artemis Council and her vision for supporting emerging artists, while also reflecting on what home means to her.
00:00 Living in Historical Splendor
01:52 Curating Conversations and Salons
04:41 Creating Immersive Experiences
07:12 Art and Cultural Shifts
12:44 The Role of Artists in Society
18:03 Life in London: A Cultural Transition
23:43 Embracing Community and Green Spaces
39:40 The Beauty of Train Travel and Slow Living
Follow Bettina's work and her salons on @Prentice_Cultural.
See more of Saaya Woolfalk's work: https://www.sayawoolfalk.com/
You can follow me living my expat life on @nneya
Pardon the sound issues we experienced towards the end of this episode.
Enjoyed Emily in Paris? Then trust me, you're going to love the whimsical, colorful, authentic mosaic that is Sutanya in Paris! In this engaging conversation, Nneya Richards and Sutanya Dacres explore the multifaceted experiences of Americans living in Paris. Cultural diversity in Paris enriches the expat experience. They discuss the challenges of finding suitable hair care, the cultural diversity of the city, and the journey of self-discovery through cooking. Sutanya shares her transition from a marketing career to becoming a writer and cook, while also reflecting on the complexities of Black identity in Europe. The conversation touches on the importance of community, the impact of media representation, and the nuances of dating in a new culture. Ultimately, they celebrate resilience and the joy of living authentically as Black women abroad. Finding a sense of home abroad can take time and reflection and Sutanya is navigating that with beauty and grace.
Follow Sutanya on Instagram@dinnerfor.one and her websiteSutanya Dacres.
You can find me living my expat life here on Instagram @nneya
00:00 Navigating Black Hair Culture Abroad
05:25 The Complexity of Black Identity in France
08:20 The Experience of Being a Black American in Europe
11:11 Culinary Journey: From Writer to Chef
13:47 Life in Montmartre: A Personal Connection
16:33 Entrepreneurship in France: Challenges and Opportunities
19:15 Cultural Differences in Business and Lifestyle
22:08 Finding Community and Belonging in Paris
24:48 The Impact of Personal Experiences on Identity
27:24 Reinventing Life After Divorce
30:19 The Journey of Self-Discovery in a Foreign Land
32:58 The Power of Female Friendships
36:01 Cultural Differences in Friendships
39:09 The American Spirit Abroad
40:27 Critique of 'Emily in Paris'
43:48 Navigating Dating in a New Culture
47:04 Fashion Evolution in Paris
52:41 Celebrating Black Womanhood and Resilience
In this conversation, Nneya anddear friend Caterina Monda explore the cultural nuances of being an American in Italy including Thanksgiving, the experience of living in Milan, and the challenges of navigating a multicultural identity. They discuss the design scene in Milan, the pride Italians have in their heritage, and the complexities of tourism and preservation in Italy. The dialogue highlights the contrasts between American and Italian cultures, particularly in terms of diversity and community. In this engaging conversation, Caterina Monda and Nneya Richards explore the cultural differences in entrepreneurship between the US and Italy, the unique experience of hosting a Jamaican dinner in Milan, and the challenges of philanthropy in a different cultural context. They discuss the importance of creating safe spaces for women, navigating their identities as foreign women in Italy, and their aspirations for future business growth. The conversation culminates in a reflection on the distinctions between being an expat and an immigrant, emphasizing the contributions immigrants make to their new homes.
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00:00 Thanksgiving in Italy: A Cultural Blend
02:58 Life in Milan: A New Home
05:55 The Design Scene in Milan
09:00 Cultural Identity and Growing Up Multicultural
11:55 Navigating Diversity in Italy
15:01 Challenges of Living in Milan
17:59 Tourism and Preservation in Italy
30:43 Cultural Perspectives on Entrepreneurship
32:06 The Jamaican Dinner Experience
35:24 Philanthropy and Community Engagement
39:30 Creating Safe Spaces for Women
45:23 Navigating Identity as Foreign Women
50:34 Future Aspirations and Business Growth
52:20 Expat vs. Immigrant: A Personal Reflection
You can find me living my expat life here on Instagram @nneya
And Caterina @caterina_monda1
and Metis PR
This episode is all about celebrating the magic of belonging to two places and building community in a new home.
Join Nneya and her friend Stacey Chia as they dive into the joys and challenges of making friends in their thirties, cultural connections, their passion for food, and the spontaneous creation of the 'Breakfast Club. This episode is a love letter to both New York and Singapore. It’s a celebration of friendship, identity, and the beautiful blend of two worlds that will leave you feeling inspired to create your own sense of belonging wherever you are.
Listen, subscribe and give us five stars!
You can find me living my expat life here on Instagram @nneya
And Stacey @staceypamelachia
And for more travel inspiration to head to Singapore...
00:00 Introduction and Love for Singapore
01:49 Memorable Trip to Singapore
02:48 Making Friends in Bergamo
04:07 Meeting Stacy Chia
07:34 Stacy's Background and Expat Life
17:22 The Breakfast Club Initiative
29:04 Balancing Life Between Two Homes
29:54 Singapore's Global Recognition
31:19 Safety and Cleanliness in Singapore
34:13 Cultural and Culinary Connections
38:50 Future Aspirations and Global Experiences
42:04 The Spice of Life
49:47 Language and Cultural Identity
52:39 Final Thoughts and Friendship
Neither myself or today's guests are the first Black creatives that saw Paris as a sort of North Star. But what does that say about New York. Are New York prices hindering a thriving creative class? Families? Now, that's a bleak thought. Ryan Norville had a quarter life crisis that lead her on a path to learning French and eventually she, her husband and two kids moved to Paris! Ryan's determination is evident in her rising career and artistry. She's just as adept at bringing visions to life for her floral art clients as she is for herself. From learning the language to visa, even enrolling her kids in school. Ryan's telling us about her path to expatdom in Paris. And we even get into those viral TikToks.
Listen, subscribe and give us five stars!
You can find me living my expat life here on Instagram @nneya
And Ryan in Paris @cinnamonryan
Check out Ryan's beautiful artistry on Instagram @oatcinnamon
and Tiktok @ryannorville_
And check out my essay on being Black American in Paris on 'N A Perfect World
Una persona influyente... that perfectly describes today's guest Courtney Mccolgan an absolutely force in the tech entrepreneur world, currently blazing new trails in Latin America as the founder and CEO of Runa. Today we're chatting with this California girl, and Fulbright scholar about her path from California to China then Peru (with love) to CDMX. She's also raising a beautiful global family... and all of this with impeccable style. Can't think of a more fitting return from maternity leave!
Listen, subscribe and give us five stars!
You can find me living my expat life on Instagram @nneya (I'll also share a few shots of my trip to Lima!)
and keep up with Courtney's latest ventures on LinkedIn
For more on my travels to Peru during Courtney and Daniel's wedding, check out 'N A Perfect World and be sure to read my first profile on my friend Courtney from 2017.
"You don't get anywhere by being comfortable." That could be one of the life mottos of today's guest, owner and executive chairman of Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort Grenada, Barry Collymore. From his time studying abroad to building community and mentorship, Barry is a true testament to when you love what you do, it comes naturally. And what he loves is to grow, learn and evolve -- especially through the lens of travel. Barry is an advocate of investing in the people of the West Indies, combatting climate change and makes such a big impact from his little slice of paradise. Join Barry Collymore and I as we discussing building home, community and a life abroad.
Listen, subscribe and give us five stars!
You can find me living my expat life on Instagram @nneya
And Barry Collymore, man about the West Indies @barrycolly
Follow Mount Cinnamon Grenada on Instagram: @mountcinnamongrenada
And Twitter
And to book your next stay at Mount Cinnamon Grenada (but don't take my spot!).
"There’s no going back in your identity, once you’ve moved, and once you have children, your identity does shift." Charmaine Wilkerson, author of Black Cake, one of Obama's favorite books of 2022 and coming soon to your screen adapted by Harpo productions!
In 2021, Random House reached out to me about the upcoming novel, Black Cake. Upon reading it, I immediate connected to this story set between the Caribbean, UK and California, writing by a West Indian American author, who lived in Rome. I had to chat with her. In February of 2022, Charmaine Wilkerson and I did an IG Live. This interview stayed in my memory bank and is certainly one of the building blocks of Building Home. We go into the idea of finding home and building home during my time in the UK, finding that slice of the Caribbean and looking for it in Italy. Charmaine chats with us about similarities and finding home in different cultures between Italy and the Caribbean in the way people gather, the matriarchy and so much more. Brilliant and insightful, Charmaine leaves us thinking "Where do we belong in the world?"
Listen, subscribe and give us five stars!
You can find me living my expat life on Instagram @nneya
Follow Charmaine on Instagram: @charmspen1
And Twitter @charmspen1
And to buy Black Cake check out your local bookstore and if not... there's always Amazon.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
BBC Windrush Generation: Who are they and why are they facing problems?
As a woman in the very gendered sports world, I’ve seen Eden thrive. She’s phenom and there’s not too many Black women, particularly Black Italian women in these decision making offices, on either side of the Atlantic. And it’s wild how she got into the field too… it was a chance bus encounter that led to her career path! It was so fun to dive in with Eden about her passion for sports culture and how that pushes her family’s traditional boundaries. True italian style, she brings up the superior coffee! And we talk about something controversial – Black Americans taking up space — maybe even gentrification? – in spaces in Europe and Africa. You're not going to want to miss this episode!
Listen, subscribe and give us five stars!
You can find me living my expat life on Instagram @nneya
As vibrant and multicultural as my community is around the globe, what I love about NYC is it's the same here. From childhood, I was drawn to people from other countries and their reason and experiences being in the states. NYC is not the easiest place to make it! Whether you're from Chattanooga or Verona. But the US and NYC has a love affair with Italians. From the Italian immigrant stories on Ellis Island, to Italian expat now that have heavily influenced American food, fashion, pop culture, Italians coming to the US are OG proponents of the American dream! Few better exemplify this than today's guest, Andrea Denver. A bonified tv star on both sides of the Atlantic, a successful business man and just a great guy, it seems Andrea has "made it." And he's definitely charmed all of us along the way. We’re talking airlines, his love of the US, the surprising US city that Andrea has a strong affinity for. We also talk behind the scenes of building a brand between the US and Italy. Tips for maintaining a relationship when you live between two places or travel a lot -- you know, typical chit chat between two expays!
And you’re going to want to open your notes app for Andrea’s tips for beautiful places to visit in Italy.
Listen, subscribe and give us five stars!
You can find me living my expat life on Instagram @nneya
And Andrea @andreadenver Also, catch him on Bravo's Winter House and Summer House! Andrea is the co-founder and CMO of Son of Wind and a partner at Acosta Tequila. BOOKED AND BUSY!
The New York Times How Italians Became 'White'
What if I told you that American Dream with the white picket fence isn't even what the creator of the term intended? Or that his intention of the American Dream was closer to Martin Luther King Jr's idea of American success than the Horatio Alger "rags to riches story?" As third-culture kids, my cousin and I get into the idea of the American Dream and what it means to us, overseas. We also discuss topics like “Is anti-hustler culture, anti Jamaican?” His favorite part about living in Tblisi Georgia and. And listen through, he drops the most incredible gem for all of us out there on the road to enjoy it that much more.
Listen, subscribe and give us five stars!
You can find me living my expat life on Instagram @nneya
Find Claude through his website: http://www.claudegrant.design/
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Do You Guys with Nneya + Michele Italians + Jamaicans
Merriam Webster What Is a 'Third-Culture Kid'?
Buzzfeed 31 Signs You're a Third Culture Kid
George W. Bush Institute A Brief History of the American Dream
We’ve all been there, dreams of moving abroad, starting anew. Leaving NYC and restoring a french chateaux, the American dream still pulls people around the world. My grandparents came from Jamaica for the American dream and I ended up moving to Italy for an American Leisure dream. But it’s not as easy – or as glamorous – as it seems. On Building Home: An Expat Podcast with me, Nneya Richards I will talk to friends, expats, immigrants about making a home in a new country and all that entails– from bureaucracy, creating a family, beautiful cultural exploration, sociopolitical issues and so much more. Welcome home, I hope you'll stay a while.