Fleeing Cartels, a 25-Year Age Gap, and Moving to Mexico Sight-Unseen | Tom & Jenn Kan

Fleeing Cartels, a 25-Year Age Gap, and Moving to Mexico Sight-Unseen | Tom & Jenn Kan

What happens when a chronic over-thinker from Texas marries a deadpan Australian who casually travels the world with zero plan? Today on Whereabouts Tales, we sit down with Tom and Jenn Kan to unpack a global love story that defies logic, borders, and a 25-year age gap. After their lives secretly orbited each other through impossible coincidences, they finally collided. We explore their chaotic journey of living abroad, including the sudden cartel violence and bombing that forced them to flee Ecuador, and why they decided to rebuild their lives in Merida, Mexico, completely sight-unseen. If you have ever romanticized the expat lifestyle, Tom and Jenn deliver a masterclass in adapting to the unknown—from navigating feudal landlord systems to realizing that home isn't a coordinate, it's the person you choose to brave the chaos with. In this episode, we cover: * The "illegal" meeting and navigating a 25-year age gap. * Tom’s experience growing up between Chinese and Australian cultures. * The impossible transatlantic coincidences that connected their pasts. * Why Jenn decided she was going to marry Tom before they were even dating. * The cartel prison break and bomb that forced them to evacuate Ecuador. * Culture shock in Mexico: Feudal landlords vs. Cardboard American houses. Powered by Riverside.fm We record Whereabouts Tales across the globe using Riverside. Start recording studio-quality podcasts from anywhere: https://riverside.sjv.io/QYP9A9 Connect with Jenn Kan: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenngrayugc [https://www.instagram.com/jenngrayugc] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenngrayugc [https://www.tiktok.com/@jenngrayugc] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Genevi%C3%A8veMyrtille [https://www.youtube.com/@Genevi%C3%A8veMyrtille] * Podcast (Masks Down - Living with ADHD & Autism): * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/masks-down/id1769719328 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/masks-down/id1769719328] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/737CafLWcKpNnSIIqwk809 [https://open.spotify.com/show/737CafLWcKpNnSIIqwk809] Connect with Tom Kan: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomkanugc [https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Ftomkanugc&authuser=1] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tomkanugc [https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40tomkanugc&authuser=1]

Machan Taylor: Touring with Pink Floyd, Sting, and Surviving the 80s

Machan Taylor sang for Pink Floyd and Sting. But behind the stadium lights of the 1980s rock scene, she was battling imposter syndrome and cultural displacement. In this episode of Whereabouts Tales, we sit down with world-class vocalist Machan Taylor to dissect her memoir, Naked Out Loud. We explore her unique origin story—born in post-WWII Japan to an American military father and a Japanese singer mother—and how music became her only anchor while struggling to assimilate in the US. From grinding through four-set nights in the gritty 1970s New York club scene to joining the Jackson Victory Tour, Machan reveals what it actually costs to survive the music industry. We unpack the psychological weight of performing twenty feet from stardom, how the glamour of touring with legacy acts masked her internal trauma, and why teaching at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute has convinced her that the current streaming business model is failing the next generation of artists. Chapters * 00:00 - The Reality of the 80s Music Scene * 00:30 - A Hollywood Origin: Post-WWII Japan to New Jersey * 08:09 - Cultural Displacement & Finding Identity in Music * 15:42 - The 70s Club Scene vs. The TikTok Generation * 27:49 - The Jackson Victory Tour & Networking * 29:23 - Conquering Performance Anxiety & Imposter Syndrome * 35:48 - Glamour vs. Trauma: Touring with Pink Floyd & Sting * 44:13 - NYU & Why the Spotify Model Fails Artists * 55:36 - Destigmatizing Mental Health & Naked Out Loud Clean Links * Read the Memoir: https://a.co/d/0c5r7h7Z * Machan Taylor Official: https://www.machantaylor.com/ [https://www.machantaylor.com/] * Recorded flawlessly on Riverside: https://riverside.sjv.io/QYP9A9

An Alien in Japan, A Local in Romania?

In this episode, I had the immense pleasure of sitting down with Miyu and Valentin, a truly captivating couple whose journey spans continents and cultures. Their honesty and openness instantly drew me in, setting the stage for one of the most refreshing conversations I’ve had. Miyu's upbringing alone is fascinating, born in the UK, moving to traditional Japan at 11, and navigating two vastly different worlds. She shared her unique perspective on growing up bilingual and the cultural nuances, like differing senses of humor, that made her feel like an "alien" in her own homeland [4:25]. Her adventurous spirit then led her to Egypt and ultimately to Spain, where fate and Flamenco, would intertwine her path with Valentin's. Valentin, a Romanian who, by his own admission, "never really liked" Bucharest but always finds himself back here, shared his incredible story of discovering Flamenco through a mysterious blank CD [12:08]. His natural ability to pick up Spanish from telenovelas is truly remarkable! It was in the vibrant heart of Sevilla, where their shared passion for Flamenco blossomed, that their love story truly began [15:20]. I loved hearing how Miyu had already heard "crazy rumors" about Valentin before they even met, his reputation truly preceded him! Their decision to move to Romania was deeply personal, driven by Valentin needing to support his family during a difficult time [30:04]. Miyu, despite knowing almost nothing about Romania, bravely joined him. Her impressions of Bucharest, from loving our shawarma to appreciating the unexpected warmth of Romanian people (and even being mistaken for a local!), were both surprising and endearing [39:30, 44:14]. We delved into the stark differences in working cultures, especially the intense work ethic in Japan leading to burnout [49:32], and the subtle (and sometimes hilarious) cultural clashes that arise in a mixed-culture relationship, like the Japanese aversion to unexpected phone calls [1:08:38] or the surprising dynamics of money management in Japanese households [1:12:12]. Miyu even revealed her deepest craving: authentic Japanese sushi, a luxury she misses dearly here [1:14:12]. My key takeaway from their story, and one that resonates deeply with my own journey abroad, is that embracing different cultures broadens your perspective and truly shows you that the "sky is the limit." There are no walls, only the ones we build for ourselves. This conversation was a powerful reminder that simple gestures, like a smile or a hello, can make a profound difference. Join us for an episode packed with laughter, surprising insights, and a candid look at what it means to build a life where cultures don't just coexist, but beautifully intertwine. You won't want to miss this one!

Rockstar: Echoes – Why the NASA Author Ghosted Us | Book of Tales no.3

Zach Taylor, NASA engineer and author of Rockstar: Echoes, ghosted us twice. We dissect his dark music industry novel without him. When a guest goes dark, the text must speak for itself. In this solo "Book of Tales" deep-dive, we maintain our bi-weekly production sprint by turning our analytical focus entirely onto the novel the author couldn't be bothered to show up for. How does a man who manages space flight hardware for the International Space Station write a gritty, cynical exposé of the punk rock scene? We break down the irony of his absence and the thematic contrast between his highly structured engineering background and his exploited protagonists.

American Culture vs. German Reality: A Military Move Abroad | Peyton Siemiaczko

What happens when an unexpected military order sends you from Georgia to a tiny, rural village in Germany? In this episode of Whereabouts Tales, Peyton Siemiaczko breaks down the unfiltered reality of American expat life in Europe. We strip away the romanticized Instagram version of moving abroad to discuss the true culture shock of relocation. Peyton shares what it is actually like to be the only American in a small German town, navigating the unspoken rules of "Silent Sundays," surviving the limitless Autobahn, and why European food regulations have completely ruined American grocery stores for her. Whether you are an aspiring expat, a military family awaiting orders, or just fascinated by cultural differences, this conversation delivers the ground truth of living overseas. Join the Conversation: If Peyton’s story resonated with you—or if you want to weigh in on the American vs. European food debate—leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, or hit 'Follow' on Spotify to never miss a Tale. Follow Peyton’s Journey: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@peytonsiemiaczko [https://www.tiktok.com/@peytonsiemiaczko] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peytonsiemiaczko/ [https://www.instagram.com/peytonsiemiaczko/] YouTube: @peytonsiemiaczko