This special episode of the She Hit Refresh podcast dives into the world of home swapping. Host Cepee is an avid HomeExchange user with over 60 home swaps, from Madrid to Mexico!
Cepee is joined by Clémence Craig, Head of Growth for North America at HomeExchange, who provides an insider's look at how the platform works, its community-driven model, and answers to frequently asked questions. You'll also hear from two experienced Home Exchange members: Maria Nicholas, an American living in Malaga, and Shannon Acton, founder of Bargain Homes Abroad and the Armchair Expat podcast. They share their real-life experiences, favorite swap experiences, and essential tips for first-time home exchangers.
We hope you enjoy this episode! if you're ready to give home swapping a try, head to SheHitRefresh.com/homeexchange, and you'll get some free GuestPoints. See y'all back here next season!
IN THIS VIDEO:
The benefits of HomeExchange compared to platforms like Airbnb
Debunking common misconceptions and misgivings about home swapping
The different types of exchanges, including simultaneous, non-simultaneous, and guest points
Real-life stories and memorable swaps from experienced HomeExchange members
ABOUT OUR GUESTS
Clémence Cragan leads North American growth at HomeExchange, making home exchange more accessible and better known across the U.S. and Canada. Originally from France, Clémence has spent the past 10 years in the United States. She’s also a mom of two young children, plus a dog and a horse! Her family uses HomeExchange for their travels, which has completely transformed the way they vacation. Clémence is a strong believer in the magic of home exchange, both personally and professionally.
Maria is an American living in Spain for 14 years, blending her love for travel with remote work. She coaches purpose-driven women seeking deeper fulfillment in life and relationships, drawing from her background as a teacher, voiceover artist, and former Hollywood actress. As a speaker, she shares insights from her unconventional path, empowering audiences to embrace their differences as a compass for life's direction. Maria's mission is to inspire others—entrepreneurs, educators, and women in transition—to trust themselves, claim their space, and pursue life with courage and intention.
Shannon is the creator of Bargain Homes Abroad, a multimedia platform that sits at the intersection of affordable European real estate and the dream of moving overseas. Through her website, podcast, newsletter, membership community, and popular Instagram account, she helps North Americans see that international living is more accessible than they think. Focused on homes with character, slow travel, and creative paths to life abroad, Shannon is planning her own move to Europe. For now, she lives in Southern California with her husband and rescue pup, Nellie.
Where to find Shannon:
Website:bargainhomesabroad.co
Instagram: @bargainhomesabroad
THANKS TO OUR EPISODE SPONSOR, HomeExchange!
HomeExchange is the global leader in home exchange vacations, offering authentic, sustainable, and affordable vacation opportunities for everyone. With over 220,000 members across more than 155 countries, HomeExchange makes vacations on a budget possible with a nominal annual membership fee, no hidden costs or cancellation fees, and 24/7 assistance. In 2021, HomeExchange Collection was created, an exclusive community for like-minded travelers to meet, share, and exchange their luxury homes.
HomeExchange is a Certified B Corporation, part of a global community of businesses that meet and commit to high standards of social and environmental impact. With teams in France, Croatia, Spain, and the United States, travelers can browse their entire collection of homes and schedule their home exchange at homeexchange.com
Thea Duncan is the founder of Doing Italy, a company that helps people purchase property in Italy. She helps people gain the knowledge they need to move to Italy with ease, while avoiding the pitfalls that can affect expats when moving abroad.
Thea shares her personal story of navigating Italy's evolving landscape for foreigners. She discusses everything from securing visas and building a career in Italy's unique job market, and the things that she loves most about Italy.
Born in Trinidad and Tobago and raised in Miami, Thea traveled the globe until Italy captured her heart in 2002. She earned her master’s degree at Bocconi University in Milan, and later worked with some of Italy’s storied fashion and design houses, including Gucci and Luxottica. Some 20 years after her first trip to Italy, Thea lives in Milan with her husband, Diego, and their adorable son, Lorenzo.
In this episode:
How Thea's initial trip in 2002 sparked her two-decade journey to living in Italy
Visa options for moving to Italy, including the student, elective residency, and digital nomad visas
Recent changes to Italian citizenship by ancestry
The realities of the Italian job market and why many expats choose entrepreneurship
What to expect when buying a one-euro home in Italy
Thank you to our season sponsor, International Living!
For the past three and a half years, Marla (53) has called Valencia, Spain, her home. In this episode, Marla gives us an in-depth look at how a rare cancer diagnosis a few months after moving to Spain changed the direction that she thought her “refresh” would take.
Along with immersing herself in Spanish culture, Marla is working on her memoir about overcoming adversity with grace and humor. She’s traveled to 40 countries and lived in various parts of Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. She has been a professional fundraiser, event planner, freelance writer, and teacher of English as a Second Language.
Marla has been a part of the She Hit Refresh community since 2018. She first appeared on the podcast in 2022 and shared how she's navigated some of the many curveballs thrown her way.
In this episode:
Listen to our previous episode with Marla: Finding Opportunity in Adversity with Marla Stein | Ep 41
Thank you to our season sponsor, International Living!
Kathleen O’Donnell is a freelance writer and former digital nomad who has lived in Greece full-time since 2022. Athens, with all its chaotic charm, has become Kathleen’s home, and her love for the country keeps getting stronger.
Kathleen started her writing business, secured a residency visa in Greece, and has grown her business into a sustainable and successful company.
In this episode:
Where to find Kathleen:
Thank you to our season sponsor, International Living!
Jacinda Fuller is an international educator and aspiring freelancer who’s passionate about living life abroad. After spending three lovely years in Spain, she knew that living abroad was meant for her. Now based in Guatemala, Jacinda is enjoying the warm hospitality and Latin American culture.
Cepee catches up with Jacinda, who speaks about why she left Spain, her temporary return to the US, and the teaching opportunity that led her to Central America.
This conversation isn't just about changing countries; it's about Jacinda's journey of resilience, adapting to bureaucracy and cultural differences, and her plans to keep evolving her career as a long-term expat.
In this episode:
Why Jacinda returned to the US after three years as a language assistant in Spain
How Jacinda found a teaching job at an international school in Guatemala
Her favorite things about Spain and her new home of Guatemala
Advice on overcoming challenges and fears when moving abroad
About Jacinda:
In her free time, she enjoys baking, exploring nature, and spending time with friends. Still figuring things out, always open to new experiences, and excited for whatever comes next.
Connect with Jacinda on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/jacinda.fuller.9
Mentioned in this episode:
Thank you to our sponsor, INTERNATIONAL LIVING!
In 2021, at 36 years old, Mary Alice took a bold leap… leaving behind her life in Philadelphia to start fresh in France, sight unseen!
With her husband and young daughter, she moved to Montpellier on France’s profession libérale visa—the country’s self-employment visa—and has been building a new, more intentional life ever since.
Tune in to hear how she made it happen and what life looks like now on the other side of her dream.
In this episode:
Why Mary Alice and her husband decided to move to Montpellier
The steps she took to secure France’s profession libérale visa
Advice on how to get letters of intent from potential French clients
Mary Alice's experience adapting her business to her new lifestyle in France
French taxes / social charges and benefits for self-employed individuals
Detaching from American productivity culture and embracing a slower life
Mentioned in this episode:
Thank you to our sponsor, International Living!
A favorite guest, Lori L. Tharps, returns for her third appearance on the podcast. Lori is an award-winning author, journalist, and founder of the Reed, Write and Create Sanctuary.
She updates us four years after her move from the U.S. to Spain. She talks about her life as an expat in Malaga, how her children have adjusted to life and school in Spain, and how her career has evolved.
Lori shares the joys and challenges of building a life abroad, including manifesting her dream creative career, and needing to support her aging parents from afar. Lori initially joined us nine days before her move (Ep39, re-released this season) and again six months later (Ep40).
In this episode:
Lori’s life and academic career in the US before moving to Spain
Lori's biggest surprises about living in Spain
Practical reasons behind Lori's decision to move to Spain with her family
How Lori's two children have adjusted to life and schooling in Spain and Europe
Ongoing challenges of supporting aging parents from abroad
How Lori manifested her dream creative life
About Lori:
A prolific author, journalist, and award-winning podcast host, Lori L. Tharps is the founder of Reed, Write, & Create, which supports and celebrates BIPoC stories and storytellers. Lori works with clients as a writing coach, literary activist, and consultant on book-related projects, book tours, and literary events.
Before moving to Europe in 2021, Lori spent nearly 15 years as a tenured professor at Temple University teaching journalism, creative writing, magazine writing, and editing, as well as classes on race and the media.
Where to find Lori:
Listen to previous episodes with Lori:
Thank you to our season sponsor, INTERNATIONAL LIVING.
Are you an artist dreaming of a creative life abroad? Well, consider moving to Berlin, which offers artists the opportunity to live in Germany on a freelance artist visa! Carly, a holistic health coach, DJ, and storyteller, shares her path to getting a freelance visa in Germany as an artist juggling multiple creative pursuits.
If you’re a creative who doesn’t qualify for a traditional work visa or a digital nomad visa, then this visa might be for you!
Carly breaks down the process and requirements for obtaining a freelance visa in Berlin, including language requirements, resources to support you, and steps to German citizenship. She also talks about her unexpected loneliness, culture shock, and living costs in this vibrant city.
If you’re considering moving to Berlin to continue your artistic career, Carly’s honest advice will give you essential information to get you started on the path to residency.
In this episode:
The process for obtaining a freelance artist visa
Unexpected challenges of culture shock as an American living in Germany
How Carly pursues multiple creative careers
Language learning visa as an alternative to the freelancer visa
About Carly
Carly is a multi-disciplined artist, coach, and creator devoted to inspiring greater freedom, connection, and vitality in every area of life. Through her work as a holistic health coach, DJ, and storyteller, she empowers others to nourish their bodies, express their creativity, and live with authenticity and joy. Guided by the belief that true well-being arises from the harmony of mind, body, and spirit, Carly weaves together wellness, music, and community-building as pathways to deeper connection—with ourselves and with each other.
Find Carly on Instagram
Find more resources at shehitrefresh.com/ep68/
Season 5 of the She Hit Refresh podcast is sponsored by International Living.
Cheryl is a seasoned entrepreneur who built a multi-million dollar business over 32 years. Meanwhile, she traveled to seven continents and over 40 countries. In 2023, she made her dream of living abroad a reality, relocating to Tirana, Albania, after selling and donating most of her belongings. Currently on sabbatical, Cheryl is embracing this next chapter with curiosity and joy.
Learn what surprised her most about Albanian culture, and how she’s building community in her new home city. If you feel that moving abroad is too expensive, too complicated, or that you've waited too long, Cheryl's story will give you hope!
In this episode:
Cheryl’s “good enough” life before making the move abroad
Her method of downsizing and the emotional challenges of moving abroad
Some of the pros and cons of living in Albania
What Cheryl loves most about living in Tirana
Thank you to our sponsor, International Living
Are you a nurse in the US dreaming of living and working abroad, but don’t know how? Meet Sophie Blake, a NICU travel nurse who went from travel nursing in the US to nursing abroad in the UK.
Sophie shares her experience obtaining a UK skilled worker visa, the licensing process, and the unexpected differences in her daily nursing duties while working in a private hospital in London.
If you're a nurse who wants to move abroad, this episode outlines a pathway and the practical steps to working as a nurse in the United Kingdom.
In this episode:
Where to find Sophie:
Mentioned in this episode:
Thank you to our season sponsor, International Living!
At 51, Patricia Brooks traded her corporate paycheck for life in a small town in southern France. A seasoned problem-solver with many years of experience as project manager and a certified coach, Patricia started a business, The Courage Catalyst.
Passionate about instilling confidence and courage in others, Patricia now empowers women to confidently pursue their dreams of living abroad.
Patricia discusses pathways for long-term stays and entrepreneurship in France. And she confirms that knowing your core motivation ("your why") is essential for navigating the challenges that come with moving abroad.
Her story and expert guidance offer real encouragement for anyone dreaming of an international adventure, proving it's not too late to create a life you love in a new country.
In this episode:
Patricia's unexpected desire to learn French and decision to move to France
Anxieties around leaving a corporate paycheck and the importance of running the numbers
France’s long-stay visitor visa and the profession libérale (freelancer) visa
Creating her business, The Courage Catalyst, to help other women move abroad
The importance of knowing your "why" for moving abroad
Where to find Patricia:
YouTube: @PatriciaBrooksCourageCatalyst
Instagram: @thecouragecatalyst
Resources:
Thank you to our sponsor, International Living.
As founder of Digital Nomad Kit and creator of the Virtual Excellence Academy, Hannah Dixon has empowered over 37,000 freelancers worldwide. Hannah is known for creating inclusive communities that inspire belonging and well-being while empowering learners to build thriving independent businesses.
Hannah discusses why being a virtual assistant (VA) is a good career option. She shares her insights on staying motivated, trying to avoid burnout, and what it takes to be a successful VA, as well as her project to support and connect remote workers who are LGBTQIA+.
In this episode:
Hannah's journey to becoming a pioneer in the location-independent lifestyle.
The definition of virtual assistance and the work of Digital Nomad Kit
Hannah’s free 5-Day VA Challenge and its potential to launch remote careers
The benefits of freelancing and becoming a VA over traditional full-time employment
Rainbow Remote community for LGBTQIA+ remote workers
Hannah's future plans and dream projects
Connect with Hannah:
Previous episodes with Hannah:
Feel It to Heal It: Hitting Rock Bottom & Rising Above with Hannah Dixon| Ep 34 (from 2021)
How to Become a VA: Hannah Dixon, Digital Nomad Kit | Ep 8 (from 2019)
Move Abroad After 30 Masterclass
This four-day live training covers the essential steps to moving abroad, from visa options to mindset work. Join the waitlist for the next masterclass at shehitrefresh.com/masterclass.
Thank you to our sponsor, International Living!
This episode from the archive features author and She Hit Refresh member Lori Tharps just before her 2021 move from the U.S. to Spain with her husband and two children. At that time, Lori was just 9 days away from hopping on a plane and making her life abroad dream with her family a reality!
Lori gives us an insight into those final days of closing up shop on your life in one country and prepping for a big move with your family to another continent.
And we’ll be posting an episode this season where we’ll catch up with Lori to see how it’s going now that she’s settled into her life in Spain.
In this episode:
How Lori's love affair with Spain started
Why she’s moving to Spain at age 49
Why she left her tenured faculty position
How her kids feel about moving abroad
How Lori and her husband will support themselves abroad
Her experience as a Black woman in Spain
What the last 9 days of her life in the U.S. were like
About Lori
Lori L. Tharps is an author, journalist, educator, and podcast host who uses her words to spark conversation and change around issues of race and diversity.
She is the author of the book, Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America and a memoir, Kinky Gazpacho: Life, Love & Spain, and she has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, Essence, and Glamour. Lori is the mother of three, can say “I love you” in seven languages, and considers any independent bookstore her happy place.
Connect with Lori:
Website: My American Melting Pot
Thank you to our season sponsor, International Living!
Cepee answers move abroad questions from the November 2024 Move Abroad After 30 Masterclass, providing practical advice and personal insights to help you navigate your move abroad.
Moving abroad can be an emotional rollercoaster. But the challenges that you face can be overcome if you surround yourself with like-minded people and maintain a solutions-based mindset.
Still have questions? The April 2025 Move abroad after 30 masterclass is a great resource to get your questions answered!
In this episode:
Do you need an immigration lawyer when applying for a visa?
How do I figure out where to move if I'm not sure yet?
Can I take my U.S.-based job abroad?
What kind of healthcare can I expect abroad?
How do I rebuild my social life abroad?
Should I buy property abroad?
How do I stay motivated when the move abroad feels overwhelming?
About Cepee:
Cepee Tabibian is the founder of She Hit Refresh, a global community of over 17,000 women aged 30+ who want to transform their lives by moving abroad. Her expertise and inspiring journey have been featured in top media outlets like Forbes, USA Today, The New York Times, Business Insider, CNBC Make It, and International Living. She also delivered the TEDx Talk “What immigrants can teach us about identity,” and has spoken at numerous travel and relocation events such as TBEX (Travel Blogger Exchange) and International Living’s “Ultimate Go Overseas Bootcamp.”
Born in West Virginia to an Iranian father and a Colombian mother, Cepee grew up in the diverse city of Houston, Texas, with a deep-rooted curiosity about the world. While wanderlust was always in her DNA, her journey to moving abroad wasn’t easy. After numerous failed attempts, she finally succeeded in moving to Madrid, Spain, in 2015 at age 35—a life-changing decision that inspired her to empower other women to break free from their own roadblocks and create the lives abroad they’ve always dreamed of.
Through her Facebook group, Move Abroad After 30 Masterclass, Refresher’s Lounge, YouTube channel, and podcast, Cepee equips women with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to move abroad at any age.
Mentioned in this episode:
Move Abroad After 30 Masterclass: shehitrefresh.com/waitlist
Hannah Dixon's 5-Day VA Challenge: shehitrefresh.com/vachallenge
Girl Gone International: https://girlgoneinternational.com
A big thank you goes out to our season sponsor, International Living!
Cepee speaks with Denise, who moved from the US to the Netherlands in her 50s on the DAFT visa.
A certified project manager and Prosci-certified change manager, Denise is launching her management consulting business, Pastel Fire Business Consulting, while navigating life in her new home.
Denise's story will inspire you to pursue your dreams, no matter your age!
In this episode:
Where to find Denise:
Mentioned in this episode:
I want to take care of me: Why more American women are moving abroad for a better life (USA Today)
Thank you to our season sponsor, International Living!
Cait Church is a music marketing professional, full-time wanderluster, and typical Pisces. With a passion for amplifying the voices of women in country music, Cait built her career at a major record label as a marketing director and promotion director. But burnout led her to step away, and she embarked on an adult gap year, traveling across Europe with her wife and Winston, their one-eyed Chihuahua mix.
Now based in Valencia, Spain, Cait is a freelancer, working on projects that are in alignment with her lifestyle, including collaborating with She Hit Refresh and working in international marketing at an artist management company.
On weekends, you’ll find her eating tapas, taking walks along the Mediterranean, or hopping on a train to explore somewhere new.
In this episode:
Cait’s burnout and adult gap year away from the corporate hustle
Spain’s Golden Visa and changing visa requirements
Why Valencia is a great fit for Cait and her wife
Living as an LGBTQ+ couple in Spain
How networking helped Cait transition to freelancing
Managing long-distance relationships with friends and family
Mentioned in this episode:
Thank you to our season sponsor, International Living.
Michelle Coulson is CEO and founder of Remote Rebellion, a company that teaches people how to get remote work and design their lives with freedom and flexibility. In this episode, Michelle shares actionable tips on how to get a remote job, common mistakes to avoid, and the realities of the digital nomad lifestyle.
Originally from the UK, Michelle worked as a recruiter for seven years. During lockdown, she was required to work remotely, so she took advantage and moved from London to Bali.
Then in 2021, when the dreaded “return to office” call came, she said NO. She quit her job and set up Remote Rebellion. Since then, she’s empowered hundreds of people to get remote jobs that align with their values.
In this episode:
Michelle's path from a traditional job in London to working remotely in Bali
Why Michelle founded Remote Rebellion
Debunking misconceptions about remote work
Strategies to stand out in the competitive remote job market
Why taking breaks and prioritizing self-care is crucial in the job search process
Connect with Michelle:
LinkedIn: Remote Rebellion
Looking to move to Europe?
Get your copy of "I'm Outta Here! An American's Ultimate Visa Guide to Living in Europe" at https://shehitrefresh.com/visaguide.
Join our She Hit Refresh Facebook group, get more tips and advice on how to hit refresh at shehitrefresh.com, and follow us on Instagram at @shehitrefresh.
The Move Abroad After 30 Masterclass is a four-day live training covering the essential steps to moving abroad, from visa options to mindset work. Join the waitlist at http://shehitrefresh.com/masterclass
Alyssa is an American writer and educator with a very low tolerance for comfort zones. Ten years ago, she took the leap of a lifetime, moving from Boston to teach at an international school in Switzerland. She currently lives in Scotland, where she recently completed her PhD. She loves being an advocate for other solo women looking to take their leap into life abroad.
Alyssa has been a finalist for the BBC's Scottish Voices talent development program, and her unpublished novel was longlisted for Helen Lederer's Comedy Women in Print Prize. In her free time, she can be found dancing (badly), doing improv, and hanging out in bookstores.
In this episode:
Why Alyssa left Boston to explore international opportunities
How she found her first teaching position in Switzerland
The timeline for international school recruitment and tips for educators
Why she moved to Edinburgh, Scotland
UK visa options and challenges
How to handle doubts when making big life changes
Resources from this episode:
Where to find Alyssa:
Thank you to our season sponsor, International Living!
Looking to move to Europe?
Get your copy of I'm Outta Here! An American's Ultimate Visa Guide to Living in Europe.
Join our She Hit Refresh Facebook group, get more tips and advice on how to hit refresh at shehitrefresh.com, and follow us on Instagram at @shehitrefresh.
Join the waitlist for the Move Abroad After 30 Masterclass, a four-day live training covering the essential steps to moving abroad, from visa options to mindset work.
Nicole is a 44-year-old American who moved from California to Portugal, sight unseen, with her husband, two cats, and a dog. Before moving, Nicole was successful in convincing her employer to let her work remotely from overseas.
Three years later, she’s happily living in Porto, learning the language, building a community, and sharing her immigrant journey on Instagram. She has no regrets about her decision to move and enjoys the slower pace of life, affordability, and safety in her new home country.
In this episode:
Why Nicole and her husband chose Portugal over other options
Differences between Portugal’s D7 visa and digital nomad visa
How Nicole made a strong case to her employer that enabled her to work remotely
Using an EOR (employer of record) company to handle taxes and compliance
How she found her apartment in Porto
Challenges of making local friends and the importance of expat communities
EOR (Employer of Record) Companies:
Where to find Nicole:
Nicole shares her immigrant journey, and insights into what life is like in Portugal as a foreigner, on Instagram at @NicoleinPortugal.
Thank you to our season sponsor, International Living!
Looking to move to Europe?
Get your copy of I'm Outta Here! An American's Ultimate Visa Guide to Living in Europe.
Join our She Hit Refresh Facebook group, get more tips and advice on how to hit refresh at shehitrefresh.com, and follow us on Instagram at @shehitrefresh.
Move Abroad After 30 Masterclass: A four-day live training covering the essential steps to moving abroad, from visa options to mindset work. Join the waitlist at shehitrefresh.com/masterclass.
Your host, Cepee, is joined by a returning favorite, Cindy Sheahan, for an update on her incredible journey. Cindy learned about the possibility of obtaining Italian citizenship through descent, a much faster process than waiting for Portuguese citizenship. This led to a swift change of plans, packing up her life in Portugal and heading to Italy.
Cindy's story is proof that it's never too late to rewrite your story. From solo travel at 56 to now traveling extensively with a partner and a home base in Palermo, Sicily, Cindy's adventures show that it's never too late to change course!
In this episode:
Pivoting from nomadic travel to living in Portugal to becoming an Italian citizen
Why Italy works better for Cindy’s nomadic lifestyle
Overview of the process to obtain Italian citizenship through descent
Update on her relationship with her French paraglider boyfriend
What Cindy loves about Palermo, Sicily
About Cindy
Cindy is a world traveler, American expat, wine drinker, and rule-breaker who has spent the past 7 years exploring the planet full-time. She enjoys hiking, hostels, free walking tours, and connecting with people. Cindy hopes to encourage and inspire other women to step out of their comfort zones -- and their time zones. She writes a blog about travel hacks and solo travel to places like Turkiye, Colombia, and Sri Lanka.
At age 63, she continues her travels, heading to Vietnam and China with her French paraglider boyfriend (whom she met on Tinder in Nepal) and then to Korea on her own this spring.
Where to find Cindy:
About Cepee
Cepee Tabibian, Founder of She Hit Refresh and a citizen of the world, was born and raised in the U.S. by a Colombian mother and Iranian father. While Houston, Texas, will always be home, she relocated to her favorite country in the world, Spain, in 2015 at 35 years young and hasn’t looked back. Her mission is simple: to inspire women to take bold steps toward the life they’ve always wanted abroad—because you're never too old and it’s never too late to hit refresh.
Looking to move to Europe?
Get your copy of “I'm Outta Here! An American's Ultimate Visa Guide to Living in Europe” at shehitrefresh.com/visaguide.
Join our She Hit Refresh Facebook group, get more tips and advice on how to hit refresh at shehitrefresh.com, and follow us on Instagram at @shehitrefresh.
Special thanks to our sponsor, International Living, for making this season possible!
