Advertise on podcast: Moving Along

Cosmetics entrepreneur Monique Montoya, founder of The Alambique Skincare Company in Taos, New Mexico, talks about how travel, family heritage, and New Mexico’s botanical traditions shaped her path from Albuquerque athlete to international marketing work in Spain and ultimately cosmetic formulation. After studying at UNM, living in New Orleans and Austria, and working in Spain with DJs and a record label, Monique returned to Taos, joined an organic manufacturing facility, and shifted from marketing to formulating—drawing on family curandera traditions and vendor chemist support. Following a buyout and a later job loss, she used severance to fund Alambique, traveling to meet farmers and sourcing raw materials first, emphasizing traceability, supplier stories and sustainability. “Having a science brain is helpful,” she says, discussing the chemistry of hydrosols and essential oils, ethical bee-venom sourcing, and the magic of “disrupting the machine of speed and greed.”   To contact Monique and for more information:   The Alambique https://thealambique.com     Mentioned in the episode: Josefa Baca New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program https://www.nmhistoricwomen.org/new-mexico-historic-women/josefa-baca/   USDA Organic INTEGRITY Database https://organic.ams.usda.gov/integrity/Default   Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Monique Montoya 02:36 A Giant Adventure: Traveling as a Child 05:06 Monique the Track Star 05:54 A Bit of a Troublemaker 07:45 Seeing the Magic in Everything Unfortunate 09:13  "Elevating me to be a bigger version of myself" 11:08 Journey to Spain 13:15 B.B. King Gets a Tamale 15:00 The Secret Language 15:53 The Cosmetics World 18:13 Having a Science Brain Is Always Helpful 19:26 The Kick in the Tuchus I Needed 21:00 Founding Alambique 21:36 The Farm First: Developing New Skincare Products 23:57 Alambique Customers 25:14 Serving Local Markets 25:53 Josefa Baca 26:41 Building a Network of Wholesalers and Mom-and-Pop Shops 27:51 Windfall Peaches 29:06 Scaling Up: Driving Revenue Through Soul 30:11 Disrupting the Machine of Speed and Greed 30:58 Meeting Farmers in Italy and Sardinia 31:48 Discovering New Farms 33:24 Bee Venom 37:18 For a Runner with Bad Knees...Bee Venom Salve 38:37 Alambique's Inventory of Products 39:07 Hydrosols and Essential Oils 40:12 Monique's Garden in Taos 40:49 How to Contact Monique Montoya and the Alambique CREDITS Host and creator: Christi Cassidy Contact: [email protected] Artwork by Phyllis Busell Music by Eve’s Blue. Post-production help from Auphonic.com. Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai. LINKS: More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/ Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Fabian Cousley, author of How Traveling Saved My Life and host of Surviving the Yellow Brick Road, discusses using travel to heal after his 30-year marriage dissolved during COVID. Fabian explains the “yellow brick road” as life’s challenging journey, fueling exploration and curiosity. Travel, he says, provides a necessary reset. Removing yourself from the environment where trauma occurred allows you to recalibrate, shifting from asking “why” to “what now.” A New York City native, he recounts solo trips from his home in Toronto—starting with Cabo, later Dubai, and a pivotal healing experience at Machu Picchu in Peru—plus advice to on how to research safety and connect with supportive people. We end talking about meeting other men who are also traveling to heal, and moving from surviving to thriving.   Contact and find links to the book and podcast: www.sybr-book.com or https://survivingtheyellowbrickroad.com/  Free download sample from Fabian: https://survivingtheyellowbrickroad.com/#Download   00:00 Introduction to Fabian Cousley 01:31 Growing Up in Queens and Surviving the Yellow Brick Road 04:18 Youth Is Curiosity 07:21 Deciding to Travel After the Breakup of the Marriage 09:38 You Cannot Heal in the Environment That Broke You 11:06 Are You Running Away? 12:21 Travel Forces You to Recalibrate and Reset 15:49 Solo Trips: Reset Happens Alone 17:42 Moving from Why Me to What Now 19:07 Deciding Where to Go 22:11 Beginning the Journey of Healing in Cabo 22:50 Finding Peace 25:18 The Map as Mirror 28:09 Dubai 34:29 Traveling While Black 35:53 Safety and Due Diligence as a Traveler 38:43 Peru: A Healing Experience 42:18 Men and Masculinity 47:57 Contact Fabian CREDITS Host and creator: Christi Cassidy Contact: [email protected] Artwork by Phyllis Busell Music by Eve’s Blue. Post-production help from Auphonic.com. Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai. LINKS: More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/ Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Slow Travel, Worldschooling, and Money Planning with Suzy May Certified financial educator and money coach Suzy May—host of the Wander Worldschool podcast—shares how she and her family live between Seville, Denver, and an upcoming multi-month stay near Tokyo while working remotely and prioritizing “slow travel.” She explains worldschooling options like Boundless Life’s three-month cohorts with an education center for kids and coworking for parents, describes settling into Seville via a German school to build language immersion, and outlines how slow travel supports culture, routines, and budgeting. Suzy also dives into planning styles, housing strategies such as TrustedHousesitters and HomeExchange, transportation choices, ways to fund extended travel by renting or subletting a home, and key visa considerations like the Schengen rules, digital nomad visas, and country-specific stays. Timestamps: 00:00 Moving Along - ep. 43 - Suzy May 00:36 Introduction to Suzy May, Host of Wander Worldschool 02:09 Headed to Japan 03:56 Boundless Life - An Organization for Worldschooling Opportunities 07:47 Where Suzy Started: Growing Up in Loveland, Colorado 11:01 Moving to Spain with the Family 16:02 The Benefits of Slow Travel 19:53 Travel Planning for Families vs. Just Showing Up 21:37 Renting, Home Exchange and Housesitting While Traveling 24:37 Getting Around - Rent a Car? 25:44 Affording the Slow Travel Lifestyle 29:47 Visas, Dual Citizenship, the Schengen Shuffle 32:51 Digital Nomad World Schooler 34:54 Making Friends in a New Home Country 35:58 School Culture in Spain 39:31 Water Pistolas in the Plaza 41:39 Adapting to the Seasons in Southern Spain 43:38 Certified Financial Educator, Money Coach and Travel Mom 45:45 Endless Opportunities for Slow Travel 49:05 Resources 52:59 Waiting for the Bus   Contact Information Suzy’s email: [email protected] Wander Worldschool Podcast: https://www.wanderworldschool.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzymay.wander/ Boundless Life: https://boundless.life Servas International: Connecting for Peace (short-term stays) - https://servas.org/ TrustedHouseSitters: https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/ Furnished Finder: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/     CREDITS Host and creator: Christi Cassidy Contact: [email protected] Artwork by Phyllis Busell Music by Eve’s Blue. Post-production help from Auphonic.com. Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai. LINKS: More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/ Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Moving Along talks with podcaster/blogger Craig Constantine during the final week of his and wife Tracy’s five-week Ford Transit van (“Panda”) trip across Newfoundland. Craig shares how childhood camping and Caribbean sailing—with heavy navigation and planning—shaped his approach to travel, watching his mom plan trips with paper and pencil, and why Newfoundland appealed as a place to “depressurize,” despite being more developed than expected. He explains balancing “non-negotiables” (especially prebooked ferry dates) with flexibility, using Crown land, campgrounds and the iOverlander app for overnight spots, and coping with variable terrain and weather.    Craig describes year-long preparation after buying the van, outfitting it with fold-down bed/table systems, organized crates, Starlink and a cellular booster for remote work, and on-trip improvements built from a local hardware store run. To avoid constant status updates, he built a microblog with AI that became travelog.place, and reflects on tight-space communication, driving too much and planning next year’s journey to Tuolumne Meadows near Yosemite.    00:00 Introduction to Craig Constantine 02:21 No Lighthouse 03:59 Growing Up in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania 09:59 Boondocking in Newfoundland 11:39 It's a Big Van But... 12:55 Finding the Nuts 13:25 Finding Places to Sleep 15:57 Not Much Grows Here 17:09 Planning the Trip 19:50 This Is Like a Sabbatical 20:54 The Van Named Panda 21:49 Jerry-rigging the Van  25:14 Clever Solutions: Crafting a Wall of Storage 28:20 Make It Better, Have Fun, That's the Whole Point 29:59 Pecking Order at the Campground 32:09 What You Do Defines Who You Are 34:14 You Have to Make the Ferry 35:58 Type A List Maker 39:03 From the Paper Tablet to the Travel Microblog 41:58 Builder 43:05 You Can Do This 44:38 Newfoundland Is an Hour and a Half... 45:07 Where to Next? 47:14 Any Oops? 48:31 Planning All the Problems Out of the Trip 49:06 It's Birds 50:57 Shorthand: A Different Kind of Mindfulness 53:02 Books I Didn't Touch 53:52 That's Not How the Id Works   Links https://constantine.name https://travelog.place https://temenos.place/ https://ioverlander.com/   CREDITS Host and creator: Christi Cassidy Contact: [email protected] Artwork by Phyllis Busell Music by Eve’s Blue. Post-production help from Auphonic.com. Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai. LINKS: More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/ Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Wouter Mayeur, founder of Property Invest Blog, has lived in Berlin, Hamburg and Barcelona, and he now resides in London with his family. He shares his experiences investing in real estate in London and Montenegro, costs to move abroad, moving with children, and his plans for purchasing a condo in Thailand. Wouter and his wife, a Canadian-Hong Kong native, travel annually to Hong Kong with their two children, and Wouter has his eye on Shenzhen, China. In addition to Montenegro and Chiang Mai, Thailand, he recommends hidden gems and “underinvested” places to investigate in Europe, Asia and South America. His practical advice includes the nitty-gritty of assessing properties from afar, renting short-term or living in your home abroad, and the logistics of property transfer taxes, purchase and moving.    Blog: Property Invest Blog https://propertyinvestblog.com/   Facebook Group: Buying & Living Abroad – Property Tips, Honest Insights https://www.facebook.com/groups/propertyabroadtips/ CREDITS Host and creator: Christi Cassidy Contact: [email protected] Artwork by Phyllis Busell Music by Eve’s Blue. Post-production help from Auphonic.com. Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai. LINKS: More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/ Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Belfast rider and author Chris Donaldson weaves the tale of his decades-long attempt to reach Australia on his 1979 Moto Guzzi Le Mans. Leaving Belfast at 21 amid the Troubles, he planned to ride to Australia but was diverted by the Iranian Revolution, traveling instead through Africa (including apartheid South Africa), the Americas, and Argentina, later recounting it in his memoir Going the Wrong Way. Chris reflects on traveling for the journey, the kindness of strangers, and how writing the book 40 years later drew on diaries and photos. After his first adventure, Chris joined the family furniture shop in Belfast, which over the years he expanded into London and Dublin. In 2021, encouraged by a friend, he resumed his quest after COVID, faced border issues (including being denied entry to Jordan), continued alone after his friend quit the trip in Athens, and finally reached Australia, forming the basis of his next book, Adventure Before Dementia (May 2026). He discusses travel changes due to phones and the internet, Moto Guzzi community, other rides including Russia and U.S. trips, and how a Parkinson’s diagnosis motivates him to keep pursuing adventures.   Pictures of Chris, His Moto Guzzi and His Travels Don’t miss the gallery on Chris’s website: https://chrisdonaldson.world/gallery-2/ Instagram: @chrisdonaldson.author   Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Chris Donaldson 02:43 From London to South Africa 04:02 With a Motorbike, You're Bonded to the Landscape 04:22 From the U.S. Down to Argentina 06:53 Another Go at Australia 08:30 What's Changed in 40 Years, What's Stayed the Same 11:38 Going Back to the Family Business in Belfast 14:14 A Pensioner Riding a Motorbike Around the World 16:42 Pilgrimage to Australia - Arriving at Last 17:54 The Moto Guzzi Le Mans 19:23 Crossing the Sahara on the Motorbike 20:23 The Biggest Problem at Age 21 22:52 Every Corner Is a Danger 23:59 Traveling Light 27:10 Teo Lamers Cathedral of Moto Guzzi Festival 27:57 Texas 29:30 It Keeps You Young  31:00 Meeting Up With Old Friends on New Journeys 32:20 Russia 34:42 Spark of Recognition 38:06 Adventures Before Dementia and Going the Wrong Way   Chris’s Books Going the Wrong Way Adventures Before Dementia   Both books are available on his website: https://chrisdonaldson.world   Or use Amazon (not an affiliate link) if ordering from the U.S. or Canada:  Going the Wrong Way - https://www.amazon.com/Going-Wrong-Way-Australia-possibly/dp/1838012761 CREDITS Host and creator: Christi Cassidy Contact: [email protected] Artwork by Phyllis Busell Music by Eve’s Blue. Post-production help from Auphonic.com. Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai. LINKS: More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/ Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Landscape photographer Tom Reed discusses his influences (Ansel Adams, Edgar Payne, the Hudson River School, and Japanese martial arts/aesthetics) and his books of photography—The Granite Avatars of Patagonia, Moved by a Mountain, and Summers in the Sierras.    Tom Reed delves into the ideas from his TEDx talk “Natural Beauty and Aesthetic Arrest,” describing aesthetic arrest—borrowed via Joseph Campbell from James Joyce—as being stunned by beauty to the point of losing the usual sense of self. He explores why eroded mountains can feel majestic, drawing on physicist Thomas Campbell’s ideas about organization versus entropy and linking organization to love. Reed connects his photography composition to Japanese tea ceremony and ikebana’s dominant/subdominant/subordinate principle, recounts quitting film photography after his camera was crushed, years of intense looking, wide travels (Caribbean, Belize, Alaska, Hawaii, California), near-drowning surfing in Oahu and how he finally returned to photography.    Tom lives in Fort Bragg on the rugged Mendocino Coast of Northern California, travels to wild places and spends five weeks each summer at a cabin he built in Alaska.    00:00 Introduction to Tom Reed, Landscape Photographer 01:53 Aesthetic Arrest 06:11 Inspiration from an Alpine View 08:19 Why Erosion Can Be Majestic 11:00 Japanese Aesthetics:  Ikebana and Chabana 12:23 Creating the Composition 13:46 Putting Yourself in the Right Position for the Composition 14:35 Principles of Flower Arranging as Applied to Photography 16:15 The Majesty of What Stands 16:35 What's Standing Is Still Organized 19:14 On Photography: The Cameras Got Heavy 21:54 In Belize with Birdie 28:24 The Artist's Impulse 29:36 Near-Death Experience Surfing the North Shore of Oahu 33:23 Raw Beauty That Inspires Awe 35:51 A Masculine Sense of Beauty 37:57 Leaving Hawaii 38:32 A Hobo Life with the Fall Colors in New England  40:44 Building a Cabin in Alaska 42:57 The Japanese Aesthetic 43:38 Aikido and Athletics 45:25 An Aikido Bum for 10 Years 47:01 Learning Tea Ceremony 47:43 Tea Ceremony and the Concept of Wabi-Sabi 49:46 Going to Japan 51:56 How to Contact Tom Reed   Tom’s Books The Granite Avatars of Patagonia Moved by a Mountain, Inspiration from an Alpine View in Alaska (also an audiobook, featured in Alaska Magazine and Cirque) The Other Side, On the Road in South America Summers in the Sierras (limited edition) Find these at https://TomReedBooks.com (not an affiliate link)   Tom’s TEDx Talk  "Natural Beauty and Aesthetic Arrest" (TEDxHomer, 2011) https://youtu.be/aB8L5a-P6NM?si=3-LmcdGe2EPJScBr   Contact Tom Reed https://tomreed.com https://tomreedbooks.com CREDITS Host and creator: Christi Cassidy Contact: [email protected] Artwork by Phyllis Busell Music by Eve’s Blue. Post-production help from Auphonic.com. Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai. LINKS: More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/ Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Donna Barwald, an LA-based professional organizer and educator with 20 years’ experience, shares how she has helped families, seniors and businesses organize, declutter, and downsize.  Donna explains how organizing helped her regulate her own ADHD, discusses supporting neurodivergent clients by creating systems that match how they use space (including entry “drop zones”), and describes how visual clutter increases stress and decision fatigue. She contrasts fight/flight/freeze responses to mess, describes body doubling, and connects decluttering to feng shui-style energy flow and a calmer home.  Donna addresses downsizing for current and future life needs—including preparing for assisted living or moving in with a child. She talks candidly about handling guilt, “might need it” objects, what to do with gifts, keepsakes and collections, and why hoarding is a separate mental illness.  She offers practical tactics like one-in/one-out, favorites-first packing, labeled storage, drawer-based organization, and planning moves by infrastructure and layout.  Note that the audio on Christi's part is a little faded, but Donna's audio is fine.  Contact Donna Barwald Website: https://neatlyarranged.com Email: [email protected] Contact Donna for a free consultation!   Donna’s Books This Mess Is Making Me Stress Improve Your Move: How to Downsize with Ease and Move On to Your Next Adventure   Timestamps 00:00 Donna Barwald Introduction 01:16 The Impulse to Organize 04:21 Donna's Mission 04:56 Creating the Environment in Which to Succeed 05:39 Drop Zones 07:53 Growing Up in San Jose, California 10:20 Finding Peace by Creating Space 11:33 Fight, Flight or Freeze 14:32 Body-Doubling 16:29 The Value of Decluttering 18:58 With Clutter, People Feel Bad About Themselves 21:53 Keeping the Judgment at Bay 27:37 Downsizing 32:25 "But I might need it" 34:40 You Don't Need a Presidential Library 35:42 Inner Peace Is More Important 35:54 Resistance, or 100 Pairs of Socks 37:05 Saving Things for the Future You...And Here You Are 37:40 Hoarders Are Not the Same as Collectors 40:11 Sticking with Your Favorites 41:11 Little Known Secrets of Downsizing 45:06 Crap Equilibrium 47:07 Dealing with Gifts - Wanted and Unwanted 49:04 Dealing with Keepsakes - Wanted and Unwanted 50:03 How to Handle Children's Keepsakes from School 55:36 Garages: The Home of Old Dreams 56:47 Cut Your Losses 01:02:27 Organization Is 90% Infrastructure 01:04:54 Drawers Are Key 01:07:05 Get in Touch with Donna Barwald CREDITS Host and creator: Christi Cassidy Contact: [email protected] Artwork by Phyllis Busell Music by Eve’s Blue. Post-production help from Auphonic.com. Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai. LINKS: More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/ Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Leadership strategist Edna White, creator of the Keeping It Real On Purpose podcast and Wounded to Wonderful newsletter, discusses the culture shock of moving from Alabama to Long Island as a child, her nervous breakdown in her 40s, and her decision to teach English in China. Living in China, she climbed the Great Wall and sampled tarantula and scorpion, returning to New York a changed woman ready to help others. She is the founder of Second Chance, Inc. and lives on Long Island in New York.    00:00 Moving Along Introduction to Edna White 03:34 Black Girl Growing Up in Alabama and Long Island 07:31 Leadership 10:19 Finding Your Original Identity 12:10 Embracing Your Emotions 13:40 Meshing Emotions and Leadership 18:07 Edna's Gift of Clairsentience and for Helping Others 19:42 Making the Wrong Mistakes 20:12 The Solitude of Home and Canoeing 21:06 Learning to Meditate 22:23 Teaching and Traveling in China 24:16 Walking the Great Wall of China 27:16 Zip Line Down the Mountain 28:13 Arriving in China 30:17 Culture Shock in China 30:58 Real Chinese Food 33:58 A New Leaf, Writing and Coaching Back in New York 34:10 Eye-Opening Lessons About Communism and Religion in China 36:53 Learning Different Kinds of Meditation in China 37:27 Can We All Be Leaders? 39:51 How to Contact Edna   Contact Edna: https://ednawhite.com At Edna's website, you can sign up to get more information about her projects: Podcast: Keeping It Real on Purpose Newsletter: Wounded to Wonderful Book (not an affiliate link): The You Project: Uncover the Real You and Create a Better Life   CREDITS Host and creator: Christi Cassidy Contact: [email protected] Artwork by Phyllis Busell Music by Eve’s Blue. Post-production help from Auphonic.com. Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai. LINKS: More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/ Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Belinda Coker (SoulTreader.com), a New Zealand-born Australian currently based in the UK, redefined her life through hiking and travel. Her mission is to get women over 50 outdoors and into the wilderness.  Belinda recounts early solo overland travel through Southeast Asia and India, volunteering on a solar power project in Ladakh, later working in Japan, and eventually entering corporate life and raising three children.  During the 2020 pandemic she realized she’d lost her adventurous self, bought hiking boots, joined a Meetup hike with very fit older hikers, and committed to maintaining health and adventure while advocating for trail safety, proper gear, and group hiking.  She describes a recent near-hypothermia incident on the Canary Islands GR131 when unexpected cold rain and cloud cover forced an emergency exit. She also discusses Europe’s hut-to-hut culture versus wild camping, New Zealand’s extensive trails and huts, and her post-corporate house-sitting work via The House Sitting Collective, including a listener discount code HSTRAVEL.   00:00 Moving Along - ep. 36 - Belinda Coker 00:21 Introduction to Belinda Coker 03:08 The Big OE - Overseas Experience - from Tauranga, New Zealand 06:07 India and Volunteering on the Solar Power Project in Ladakh 06:50 From India Home to Australia 08:04 Look in the Mirror 09:37 One Hike Was All It Took 11:25 Hiking: Where to Start  13:24 Buying Your First Pair of Hiking Boots 14:46 Near-Death Experience in the Canary Islands 21:10 Free Resource about Safety for Hikers 22:05 Hut-to-Hut, Inn-to-Inn Hiking 23:43 Hut Culture 25:06 Getting into the Wilderness for Women 27:13  House-Sitting 31:56 Benefits of House-Sitting 34:36 The House Sitting Collective - Special Promo Code for Listeners   Contact Belinda Coker: Soul Treader – Belinda’s website https://soultreader.com/ https://soultreader.com/hike-it-right/ (Hike It Right. - Free Resource  - 78 Pages of Health, Safety & Hygiene on the Trail)   The House Sitting Collective https://housesittingcollective.com/ Discount Code for 10% off all House Sitting Courses  - HSTRAVEL   CREDITS Host and creator: Christi Cassidy Contact: [email protected] Artwork by Phyllis Busell Music by Eve’s Blue. Post-production help from Auphonic.com. Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai. LINKS: More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/ Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Artist David Deighton was born in Paris and began traveling Europe and the world at age 14. After years of nomadic exploration, he and his wife decided to settle down in Santa Fe in the Southwest United States.  He installs his unconventional “art experiment,” called Triptych Dialogue, in national parks across the United States and beyond. It is part of his mission to rekindle social connections face-to-face, to seek civility and to resist the digital echo chamber.  In fact, he first tried the experiment of bridging the political divide using social media. Not only was it an uncivil arena, he was “shadow banned” and even received death threats from across the boundaries he was trying to cross.  That’s when he knew the only way to find common ground was through words, and in person, by asking three questions and listening. He admits that even starting the conversations is not easy, even with the tool of a microphone in hand.  Each conversation ends with a question about “one word” that represents and encapsulates the participant’s thoughts in the interview. It is these words that form a kind of lyrical underpinning to the videos and to the project itself.  David posts videos on YouTube of his interactions with strangers at the Triptych Dialogue art installations. At the national parks, David asks his three questions of Americans visiting and tourists from around the world, who are drawn to the beauty of the national parks, particularly the Grand Canyon. Fans of the New Mexico landscape will appreciate David’s ventures to Pecos National Historical Park, White Sands National Park, Carlsbad Caverns and even the Roswell Courthouse.  David also substitute teaches in the Santa Fe public school system and discusses his successful use of the same technique--three questions followed by the "one word" capper--with his students.  When we spoke, David was on his way to Colombia to take the Triptych Dialogue art experiment to another continent and see what civility he could find there.  To see the yearlong social media experiment David ran, check out Triptych Dialogue on Instagram: instagram.com/triptych_dialogue To see the ongoing Triptych Dialogue videos, check out YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@triptych-dialogue More about Servas: https://servas.org/ Contact David Deighton YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@triptych-dialogue CREDITS Host and creator: Christi Cassidy Contact: [email protected] Artwork by Phyllis Busell Music by Eve’s Blue. Post-production help from Auphonic.com. Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai. LINKS: More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/ Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Renae Ninneman, founder of Beyond Tourism (goingbeyondtourism.com), helps travelers prepare culturally for international travel and moving abroad.     Born in a Dutch enclave in western Michigan, Renae explains how living in Seoul, South Korea for a year teaching English without cultural preparation led her to focus on “below the iceberg” cultural expectations. Travelers often dismiss discomfort as “it’s the culture,” Renae says, instead of naming and exploring what’s happening and seeking a human connection. Stereotyping and ethnocentrism often play a role.     Renae contrasts differing expressions of kindness and friendliness in the U.S. compared with Germany and Latvia, and direct versus indirect communication, describing her approach as a mix of research and experience. She earned certification in the Cultural Intelligence Model (with four CQ dimensions, including CQ strategy for preparation and in-the-moment awareness and follow-up reflection).     The conversation touches on travel for missionary work, her parents’ initial opposition to South Korea and their later visits. She advises travelers to start with self-reflection on their own cultural values, then identify differences in others and, finally, to adapt behavior, noting that “kindness” does not always translate across cultures.   Renae shares some revealing stories of her own learning process, including a humiliating workplace gaff while she was working in the U.S. on refugee resettlement and the damage her collegial relationship suffered because of it.     Nearly arrested for jaywalking, she recounts a frightening incident in South Korea where she was confronted by a stranger, police were called, and she narrowly escaped what could have been a dire situation.     Timestamps 00:00 Moving Along   00:35 Introduction to Renae Ninneman 01:00 Beyond Tourism 02:16 Teaching English in South Korea 04:06 Cross-Cultural Disconnects 08:42 The Cultural Intelligence Model - Cultural Intelligence as a Skill   10:58 Cultural Intelligence Skills for Business Travel 12:25 Growing Up in Western Michigan's Dutch Community 14:38 Learning the Language 15:32  Cross-Cultural Competence and the Most Humiliating Moment 20:11 When Being Direct Has Its Advantages 20:57 Direct and Indirect Communication Styles 22:45 Where to Start When Preparing to Travel or Move to Another Country 27:16  Kindness as a Universal Language? 29:22 Almost Arrested in Korea 35:15 Contact Renae and Going Beyond Tourism   Resources   Beyond Tourism https://goingbeyondtourism.com   The Cultural Intelligence Center, https://culturalq.com/   The Culture Factor Group, Helsinki, https://www.theculturefactor.com/   Geert Hofstede (1928 – 2020), https://geerthofstede.com/   Erin Meyer, The Culture Map David Livermore, Digital and Divided   Contract Renae Ninneman, founder of Beyond Tourism:   [email protected]   CREDITS Host and creator: Christi Cassidy Contact: [email protected] Artwork by Phyllis Busell Music by Eve’s Blue. Post-production help from Auphonic.com. Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai. LINKS: More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/ Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

In this episode of Moving Along, Christi Cassidy interviews Scott Kirk, CEO and founder of Visas.pt, a company that assists people looking to move to Portugal with visa and immigration services. Scott discusses the exponential growth of their online community, which includes 2.4 million monthly visitors to their Facebook groups, including Moving to Portugal and Living in Portugal.   Contrary to popular belief, Portugal is not becoming overrun with Americans moving to Portugal, and Scott offers words of wisdom for respecting the Portuguese culture and ways to fit in.     The conversation delves into Scott's own adventurous background stemming from his family's travel history, leading to his extensive global travels and eventual settlement in Portugal.     Scott also provides detailed insights into the process and nuances involved in moving to Portugal, addressing various visa types for retirees, digital nomads, entrepreneurs and others, economic considerations, real estate market dynamics and scams to watch out for.     Often called the “Gateway to Europe,” Portugal is a welcoming country and gay-friendly. Still, Scott emphasizes the importance of responsible immigration and cultural integration.     Scott offers practical advice for those considering relocating and details the pathway to dual citizenship, currently a five-year process that may soon become a 10-year process. The discussion highlights not only the challenges and benefits of moving to Portugal but also Scott's personal motivations and experiences that shaped his journey.   Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Scott Kirk 02:35 Island Boy in Victoria, British Columbia 04:05 Digital Nomad in Remote Brazil 06:28 Why Portugal? 08:47 Founding Visas.pt 11:38 Is Portugal Getting More Expensive? 13:05 Prato do Dia - Plate of the Day 14:49 Beach Life 15:53 Blue Flag Beaches in Portugal 17:48 Gateway to Europe 20:04 Requirements for Retiring to Portugal on a D7 Visa 22:29 Healthcare in Portugal 24:08 Cost of Living in Portugal 24:32 Buying a Place in Portugal 27:09 Schengren Shuffle 27:55 The Golden Visa 28:33 Requirements for the Pathway to Dual Citizenship in Portugal 31:11 Rainbow Connection: Gay-Friendly Portugal 32:20 Taxes in Portugal 32:58 Non-Retirement Visa Options for Portugal 34:12 Starting a Business in Portugal - The D2 Visa   34:41 Visas for Highly Qualified Skilled Individuals and Students 36:04 Digital Nomads in Portugal 37:06 Scams to Beware of in Coming to Portugal 41:32 Mistakes People Make in Emigrating to Portugal   Resources https://visas.pt   https://rainbowconnection.pt   Living in Portugal Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/expatsinportugalqa   Moving to Portugal Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/movingtoportugal2.0   For a free consultation and to contact Scott Kirk: https://visas.pt/contact.php  CREDITS Host and creator: Christi Cassidy Contact: [email protected] Artwork by Phyllis Busell Music by Eve’s Blue. Post-production help from Auphonic.com. Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai. LINKS: More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/ Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Dr. Jeffrey Barnes, also known as Dr. Disneyland, delves into the enchanting history and life lessons of Walt Disney. Dr. Barnes, an author and professor, shares his unique experiences growing up as a military child, his transformative journey to Disneyland and his eventual deep dive into Walt Disney’s remarkable story of resilience and creativity.     Author of The Wisdom of Walt and Life Lessons from Walt, Dr. Barnes muses on the evolution of Disney parks, the impact of storytelling and the current business challenges and strategies of the Disney brand.     He is blunt in his assessment of the Jimmy Kimmel incident with ABC and Disney+ and doesn’t shy away from discussing Disney’s corporate leadership and post-pandemic pricing strategies. “Not consumer-friendly, not family-friendly,” he says.     Dr. Barnes also shares personal anecdotes and powerful insights on creativity, overcoming obstacles and the enduring magic of Disney that continues to inspire generations. Tune in to explore the rich tapestry of Disney's legacy and how its lessons can be applied in everyday life. Books by Dr. Jeffrey Barnes The Wisdom of Walt Life Lessons from Walt   Contact Jeff Barnes and find links to buy his books at his website: https://thewisdomofwalt.com   00:00 Introduction to Dr. Disneyland 04:02 Memorable Family Vacations - The Land of Oz and Disney World 05:21 Loving Disney World and the Comedown on First Visit to Disneyland 07:29 Walt's Story 10:37 Reinterpreting Disney World as an Adult 14:20 Bucket List Disney Parks Around the World 14:57 How Jeff Likes to Travel 16:29 How did the book come to be? 18:59 Diagnosed with life-threatening brain tumor 21:37 Second Brain Tumor 22:11 Is Disney for the Wealthy Only? 24:52 Post-Pandemic Pricing at Disney 25:40 Disney Corporate Leadership 27:38 Disney, Bob Iger and Jimmy Kimmel 31:11 Disney as Reflection of American Society Through the Decades 38:53 Roy Disney and Financial Restraints 41:32 Advice for Visiting Disney the First Time 43:49 How the Magic Is Made 45:27 Leadership Lessons from Walt 47:27 Consulting at Disney   Places Mentioned Disneyland Disney World Storybook Mansion   Riverside, California Florida Panhandle Orlando, Florida Boone, North Carolina Kansas City Los Angeles Griffith Park Tokyo Disneyland Tokyo Disney Seas Disneyland Paris Euro Disney Glendale Fort Huachuca Davis-Monthan Air Force Base St. Petersburg, Florida Marceline, Missouri CREDITS Host and creator: Christi Cassidy Contact: [email protected] Artwork by Phyllis Busell Music by Eve’s Blue. Post-production help from Auphonic.com. Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai. LINKS: More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/ Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Sylvina Lanusse, a mixed-media artist and host of Walking for Inspiration, takes us on an engaging journey across continents and through the layers of her rich artistic process. From the vibrant streets of Buenos Aires to the tranquil shores of Vancouver Island, Sylvina has woven her love for the ocean and nature's elements into every piece of art she creates. Her recent Italian adventure adds yet another color to her palette, as she shares how the Vatican's marble floors sparked her creativity. Sylvina's story is not just about art, but about the emotional landscapes of migration, the bittersweet nature of farewells and the surprising connections formed along the way.   In this episode, we also explore the poignant themes of immigration and belonging. Sylvina opens up about how a generous benefactor changed the trajectory of her life, enabling her to study abroad and refine her artistic voice. We delve into the heartache of losing her parents, of losing her canine companion Polo and the intricate feeling of having multiple homes across the world. Art emerges as a sanctuary for Sylvina, a space where creativity transcends geographical borders and offers solace amid life's upheavals.     Silvina reflects on how the spontaneity of migration has shaped her path, leading her to find stability and opportunity in Canada—it’s a story of resilience, creativity and connection.   CHAPTERS    [00:00:34] Introduction to Silvina Lanusse [00:02:11]  Early Life and Family Background [00:04:31]  Beach Memories and Sensory Experiences [00:07:51]  Walking for Inspiration and Artistic Sensitivity [00:09:58]  Travel Adventures and Cultural Connections [00:15:45]  Benefactor's Support and Artistic Journey [00:19:41]  Finding Community Through Art [00:22:11]  The Art Is My Lifeline [00:26:26]  The Bond with Polo [00:28:14]  Coping with Loss [00:29:30]  Walking for Inspiration [00:31:10]  Shaped by Migration [00:34:38]  Choosing Canada Over the U.S. [00:37:35]  Embracing the Artist's Life [00:39:09]  Reflections on Immigration [00:42:56]  Connecting with Silvina   Contact Silvina: @silvinalanusseart   Website: https://www.silvinalanusseart.ca/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silvinalanusseart/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silvinalanusseart   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@silvinalanusseart     Walking for Inspiration – Silvina's video podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@silvinalanusseart  CREDITS Host and creator: Christi Cassidy Contact: [email protected] Artwork by Phyllis Busell Music by Eve’s Blue. Post-production help from Auphonic.com. Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai. LINKS: More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/ Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram