Advertise on podcast: Mallorca Living Video Podcast

What brings someone back to Mallorca after building a life and career in Los Angeles? For actress, filmmaker and Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival founder Sandra Seeling Lipski, choosing where her daughter would grow up became the deciding factor. In this episode of Mallorca Living, Helen speaks with Sandra about moving from Berlin to Mallorca aged ten, leaving to pursue acting in New York and Hollywood, and returning to Santa Ponsa with her own family. She shares the school visits in LA that prompted them to reconsider their future, why her daughter now attends her former school, and what she values about life on the island. Alongside her personal journey, Sandra takes us behind the scenes of Evolution as the festival celebrates its 15th edition, revealing how she built an international film event that connects local talent with filmmakers from around the world. In this episode, we cover: Growing up in Mallorca and returning to the island as a parent.Why schooling and family life shaped the decision to leave LA.Living in Santa Ponsa, from its residential neighbourhoods to its year-round community.Building Evolution, bringing Danny DeVito to Mallorca and making the festival welcoming to everyone.Tourism, housing pressures and taking care of the island.Sandra’s advice for newcomers: learn the language, make local friends and embrace Mallorcan culture. An inside look at raising a family, pursuing creative ambitions and becoming part of life in Mallorca.

After travelling to more than 50 countries and building a location-independent life, Australian entrepreneur and content creator Jake Snow has amassed an Instagram audience of 1.6 million followers. He could have chosen almost anywhere to call home. In this episode, Helen sits down with Jake to explore why he and his wife Marie chose Mallorca as the place to slow down, raise their young family and create a more permanent base after a decade of travelling the world. Jake shares what Mallorca offers beyond the holiday experience, from the walkability and everyday lifestyle of Palma to beaches, mountains, family-friendly culture, healthcare and the growing question of schooling. He also explains why he believes renting before buying is one of the smartest things prospective residents can do, and what he learned from eventually purchasing and renovating their own property on the island. Their conversation also traces the unconventional journey that made the move possible: meeting in Thailand, creating an online business and building a global audience, before moving into boutique hotels in Bali and developing a new project in Cape Town. In this episode: Why Mallorca stood out after travelling to more than 50 countriesHow living in Mallorca differs from holidaying hereWhy Jake and Marie chose Palma for life with a young familyThe lifestyle, safety and sense of freedom they value on the islandSchools, healthcare and the practical considerations of raising children hereWhy Jake recommends renting in Mallorca before deciding to buyWhat they learned from purchasing and renovating their Palma propertyWhy trusted recommendations, local contacts and Spanish speakers matterThe realities of working online and building a location-independent lifeHow Jake and Marie built an Instagram audience of 1.6 million followersTheir journey from travel creators to boutique hotel ownersWhy integration and learning Spanish matter when making Mallorca homeJake's advice for anyone still wondering whether to make the move For anyone contemplating a move to Mallorca, Jake offers a particularly useful perspective: that of someone who has spent years comparing different lifestyles around the world before deciding what truly matters when choosing somewhere to live.

In this episode, Helen sits down with musician, creative and coach Maria Schönfeld to talk about what life in Deià is really like beyond the beautiful images and international reputation. Maria opens up about moving to Mallorca as a single woman, dating on the island, why she believes you should “move here for yourself”, and her two-year journey to finding the right home. Maria moved to Deià after years of living internationally, including London and Amsterdam. She arrived on Mallorca with two suitcases and her cat, having spent surprisingly little time on the island beforehand. What began as a winter rental gradually became a permanent home. Almost four years later, she has built a life, friendships and a creative community in one of Mallorca’s most famous villages. She shares an honest picture of Deià beyond the postcard: quiet winters when almost everything closes, intensely busy summers, a close-knit community and the creative energy that has attracted artists and musicians for generations. In this episode: The reality of winter versus summer in DeiàWhy artists and creatives are drawn to the villageFinding community when you arrive aloneLife as a single woman on MallorcaDating and meeting people on the islandMaria’s two-year journey to buying her homeCreativity, music and The Sonic WombMaria’s advice for anyone considering moving to Mallorca For anyone dreaming of Mallorca, Maria’s story is a reminder that finding the right place is about more than falling in love with how it looks. It is about discovering where and how you genuinely want to live.

What does it really take to feel at home in Mallorca? When Tanja Sanders first visited the island in 2023, she made a life-changing decision. Within two months, she and her family had sold everything in the Netherlands and moved to Mallorca with their three children. The reality was harder than expected. Finding the right home and school took time, and the family lived in several different parts of the island before eventually settling in Sóller. In this episode, Tanja speaks openly with Helen about integration, feeling like an outsider, and why she now wishes she had embraced the local language and community much sooner. She also shares why moving her children from an international school to the local public school became such a positive experience, and why she sees learning Catalan as a “gift”. In this episode: Selling everything and moving within two monthsFinding the right home and schoolSettling into life in SóllerInternational versus local schoolingLearning Catalan and integrating into the communityWhat Tanja would do differentlyWhy newcomers should give something back to MallorcaAI and the future of work A candid and practical conversation for anyone considering making Mallorca their home.

In this especially personal episode, Helen is joined by her daughter, Eva Cummins, to examine one of the biggest concerns facing families moving to Mallorca: will their children’s education be compromised? Eva attended Agora Portals from the age of three until completing the International Baccalaureate at 18. Drawing on her own experience, she offers an honest student perspective on Mallorca’s schools, academic standards, languages and integration. She also shares what it was really like to grow up on the island and how well Mallorca prepared her for university and life abroad. In this episode, Helen and Eva discuss: Whether studying in Mallorca limits a child’s future opportunitiesChoosing between the IB, A Levels and the Spanish systemInternational, private and public education on the islandJoining a Mallorcan school at different agesHow schools support children arriving without SpanishThe importance of Spanish and Catalan for integrationThe benefits of a multilingual, multicultural childhoodThe freedom, safety and outdoor lifestyle Eva enjoyed growing upThe occasional limitations of island life for teenagersWhy proximity to schools and public transport mattersEva’s transition from Mallorca to university in Paris, Turin and MadridHow studying abroad changed her appreciation of MallorcaHer experience working in the family business and interest in propertyWhy she hopes her own children will one day grow up on the island From choosing the right school to understanding the wider reality of family life in Mallorca, this candid mother-and-daughter conversation offers valuable insight for parents considering a move.

When Christine Leja and Andree Mienkus began working in Santa Catalina more than 20 years ago, the Palma neighbourhood was very different from the cosmopolitan lifestyle destination it is today. Drawn to its fisherman’s houses, wide streets, natural light and distinctive character, they saw potential where others still needed convincing. In this episode, Helen speaks to the German couple behind bconnected about vision, courage, partnership and knowing when it is time to begin a new chapter. In this episode, they discuss: How Christine and Andree met and began building bconnected togetherTheir role in the transformation of Santa CatalinaWhy the yachting community became their first important marketHow Swedish buyers discovered the neighbourhoodThe concept stores that brought new daytime energy to the areaTheir bold decision to leave Santa Catalina during the pandemicReinventing bconnected from their new base in BendinatCombining real estate, architecture and interior designHow Mallorca’s property market has changed over three decadesWhy the island continues to attract buyers from around the world From the early days of Santa Catalina to bconnected’s evolution into an integrated property and design company, Christine and Andree share what it takes to recognise potential, remain true to your values and keep moving forward.

In this episode Helen speaks with Dr. Carlos Rubí, founder of Instituto Rubí, about balancing family life in Mallorca with the demands of providing world-class plastic surgery.Originally from Bilbao, Carlos studied and worked across Spain and internationally before moving to the island in 2019. Inspired by his father, an anaesthesiologist, he developed an early passion for medicine and complex problem-solving. He explains why plastic surgery extends far beyond aesthetics, encompassing reconstruction, preventative treatment and the restoration of confidence after life-changing diagnoses.Helen also shares her experience of preventative breast surgery after discovering a BRCA1 mutation. Together, they discuss the importance of combining risk reduction with thoughtful reconstruction, emotional support and advanced aftercare.Away from the clinic, he reflects on raising his children on the island in Mallorca, his love of cycling, the importance of leading his team by example and his plans to establish a charitable surgical programme in the Dominican Republic.In this episode:• What makes Instituto Rubí different• The connection between aesthetic and reconstructive surgery• Why recovery and aftercare matter• Mallorca’s appeal to international patients• Balancing medicine, family and island life• Carlos’s future charitable surgical projectA thoughtful conversation about medicine, trust, family, purpose and a new standard of patient care in Mallorca. In this episode Helen speaks with Dr. Carlos Rubí, founder of Instituto Rubí, about balancing family life in Mallorca with the demands of providing world-class plastic surgery.Originally from Bilbao, Carlos studied and worked across Spain and internationally before moving to the island in 2019. Inspired by his father, an anaesthesiologist, he developed an early passion for medicine and complex problem-solving. He explains why plastic surgery extends far beyond aesthetics, encompassing reconstruction, preventative treatment and the restoration of confidence after life-changing diagnoses.Helen also shares her experience of preventative breast surgery after discovering a BRCA1 mutation. Together, they discuss the importance of combining risk reduction with thoughtful reconstruction, emotional support and advanced aftercare.Away from the clinic, he reflects on raising his children on the island in Mallorca, his love of cycling, the importance of leading his team by example and his plans to establish a charitable surgical programme in the Dominican Republic.In this episode:• What makes Instituto Rubí different• The connection between aesthetic and reconstructive surgery• Why recovery and aftercare matter• Mallorca’s appeal to international patients• Balancing medicine, family and island life• Carlos’s future charitable surgical projectA thoughtful conversation about medicine, trust, family, purpose and a new standard of patient care in Mallorca.📧 For questions, feedback or enquiries, feel free to reach out: [email protected]

For many people, success means climbing the corporate ladder, earning more money and building a bigger career. For Andrew Clemence, it eventually meant something very different. Originally from Manchester, Andrew spent 18 years helping grow a small travel company into one of the world's largest tourism businesses. At just 38, despite being on the board of a multinational company, he made a decision that shocked almost everyone around him: he walked away from it all and moved his family to Mallorca. Nearly three decades later, Andrew reflects on what happened next. In this conversation with Helen, he shares how Mallorca transformed his outlook on success, why he chose family over corporate ambition, and how he went on to build and scale businesses across hospitality, entertainment, tourism and coaching while creating a life with far greater balance. Together they discuss: Why he left a high-powered corporate careerRaising three children in MallorcaChoosing the right schools and places to liveBuilding businesses from the islandThe realities of relocating to MallorcaWhy success isn't always measured by wealthThe importance of community, health and purposePractical advice for anyone considering a move to Mallorca If you're dreaming of relocating to Mallorca—or simply questioning what success really looks like—this episode is full of honest insights and hard-earned wisdom from someone who's lived both worlds,

After years working in some of the world's finest hospitality destinations—from Germany and Mallorca to California and New Zealand—Anita Possner and Bastian Wenzel decided it was time to stop following other people's dreams and build one of their own. In this episode, Helen sits down with the couple behind La Pasión, one of Mallorca's newest and most exciting restaurant concepts, to explore the journey that brought them back to the island. They discuss learning from Michelin-level chefs, travelling the world in search of inspiration, opening and selling their first restaurant in Germany, and why Anita's solo Camino walk became the catalyst for creating a business centred on creativity, community and meaningful connection—not just great food. The conversation also explores what it's really like starting a hospitality business in Mallorca, the realities of navigating bureaucracy, finding the perfect location, building relationships with locals, embracing the island's incredible food and wine culture, and why patience, authenticity and passion have been the foundations of their success. In this episode you'll discover: Why they left Germany to start a new life in MallorcaHow working in California and New Zealand shaped their philosophyThe Camino walk that changed Anita's lifeLessons from opening restaurants in two different countriesWhat makes Mallorca's food scene so exciting todayWhy La Pasión is about much more than diningTheir advice for anyone dreaming of starting over abroad

What happens when a casual conversation at a children's birthday party sparks a life-changing decision? In this episode, Helen sits down with Dr Oliver and Miriam Hahn, who left their established life in Cologne and moved to Mallorca with their teenage daughter just two years ago. What began as a spontaneous idea quickly became a whirlwind journey involving selling a medical practice, buying a new one on the island, purchasing a unique former rum factory as a family home, and navigating the realities of relocation. Oliver shares the challenges of taking over a medical practice in Mallorca, the unexpected bureaucracy he encountered, and how his passion for integrative and preventative medicine has evolved into a pioneering approach to neurological health. Miriam reflects on what drew her to Mallorca, the realities of helping their daughter settle into a new country and school system, and why she has never once regretted the move. Together, they discuss family life, entrepreneurship, international schools, building a social circle from scratch, and what they wish they had known before relocating. Topics covered: Relocating from Germany to MallorcaSelling and buying a business abroadRaising a teenager on the islandInternational and local schoolsBuilding a new social lifeIntegrative and preventative medicineStarting over later in lifeThe realities of making Mallorca home Listen now and discover how one family turned a spontaneous idea into a completely new chapter.

What happens when you stop waiting for the perfect moment and simply go for it?In this episode, Helen sits down with Jordan and Ray Bath, a couple from Essex who made the life-changing decision to leave the UK, sell their successful gym business, and move their young family to Mallorca.Just a few months into island life, they share the reality behind the dream: the planning, risks, fears and practical challenges involved in relocating abroad with children. From finding a home and navigating schools to securing Digital Nomad Visas and building an online business, Jordan and Ray offer an honest account of what it really takes to start over in a new country.They also discuss entrepreneurship, family life, fitness, personal growth and why they believe so many people remain trapped by the idea that their dream lifestyle is out of reach.If you've ever wondered what it would be like to leave the rat race behind and create a new life in Mallorca, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical insights.In this episode:- Why they sold their gym business and left the UK- Moving to Mallorca with two young children- Choosing local schools over international education- Building an online coaching business- The Digital Nomad Visa process- Life in Pollença versus the tourist hotspots- How fitness, mindset and resilience shaped their journey- Advice for anyone considering a move to MallorcaA candid conversation about courage, family, and creating a life that feels truly aligned.

This week, Helen sits down with long-time friend and renowned interior designer Justine Knox to explore her extraordinary journey from moving to Mallorca as a child over 40 years ago to building one of the island’s best-known interior design businesses.Justine shares the highs and lows behind creating a life and business in Mallorca - from her parents losing everything after buying a hotel on the island, to leaving school at 15, working on construction sites, and eventually building Knox Design into a trusted name for luxury homes and renovations.The conversation dives into the realities of renovating property in Mallorca today, including planning permission delays, legal pitfalls buyers need to watch for, the shortage of skilled tradespeople, and why patience is essential when building or reforming a home on the island.Helen and Justine also discuss entrepreneurship, family business, sustainable interiors, designing homes that truly reflect how people live, and the changing reality of Mallorca as a place to relocate.Whether you’re dreaming of moving to Mallorca, renovating a property, or simply fascinated by stories of resilience and reinvention, this episode offers honest insights and valuable advice from someone who has spent decades helping people create homes on the island.

In this episode, Helen sits down with local architect Jaime Salvá, founder of Jaime Salvá Studio, to unpack the realities behind designing and building on the island. From costly mistakes buyers make when purchasing plots, to the hidden legal and urban planning pitfalls that can stop a project in its tracks, Jaime shares practical insights drawn from nearly two decades of experience. They explore why due diligence goes far beyond legal checks, how inconsistent interpretations of planning rules can impact projects, and why building licences can take years—sometimes changing the viability of an entire investment. Jaime also reveals a new fast-track system that could transform the process for developers. Beyond the technical side, the conversation dives into Jaime’s philosophy: why he believes great architecture isn’t about style, but about solving problems, understanding lifestyle, and creating homes that feel right to live in. From his early career in Barcelona and California working on high-end residential projects, to shaping some of Mallorca’s most sought-after luxury homes, his perspective offers both expertise and clarity. If you’re considering buying, building, or investing in Mallorca property, this episode gives you a grounded, insider view of what to expect—and what to avoid.

What does it really mean to heal—from within? In this episode, Helen sits down with Swiss-born osteopath, yoga teacher and author Mirjam Wagner to explore a deeply personal journey of transformation, resilience and self-discovery. From a life that looked “perfect” on the outside to a breaking point that forced her to listen inward, Mirjam shares how physical symptoms, emotional pain and life upheaval led her to completely redefine her path. Now based in Mallorca, her work blends osteopathy, Chinese medicine, yin yoga and mentorship to guide others back to themselves. Together, they explore: What it means to “heal from within” Why modern life keeps us stuck in imbalance The power of yin yoga in a fast-paced, yang-driven world Hormones, cycles and reconnecting with nature The moment when “the soul gets sick - and the body follows” Why letting go is often more powerful than adding more Mirjam also opens up about her move to Mallorca as a single mother, the island’s evolution over the past two decades, and how to approach relocation with intention rather than illusion. This is a conversation about slowing down, listening deeply, and finding your way back to yourself, wherever you are in life.

In this episode, Helen sits down with Jon Ander Arambalza — endurance athlete, Mallorca 312 captain, and one of the leading figures in adventure racing. Originally from Bilbao, Jon shares how a life shaped by mountains, movement, and discipline led him to Mallorca, where he has built both a family life and a world-class sporting career. From competing in multi-day adventure races with minimal sleep to helping shape one of Europe’s most iconic cycling events, Jon offers a rare insight into the mindset required to perform at the highest level, and why mental strength matters more than physical ability. Beyond sport, this is a conversation about lifestyle: raising resilient children, disconnecting from modern distractions, and choosing a life grounded in nature, movement, and purpose. What we cover in this episode: The evolution of the Mallorca 312 from 199 riders to 9,000What it takes to compete in multi-day endurance races Why “the most important is the mental” Life in Mallorca as a sporting family Practical advice for anyone relocating to the island A powerful episode for anyone interested in performance, discipline, and building a life with intention in Mallorca.