Passport Jane

From Bleeding Fingers to Business Success

🌍 Welcome to The Passport Jane Podcast! This is the incredible true story of Til, a Vietnamese refugee who escaped communist Vietnam with 35 other family members when she was just 11 years old. At midnight, her father secretly loaded 36 people into the bottom of his fishing boat where they normally stored fish. After pretending to be a fisherman for 18 months to build relationships with guards, he made the ultimate decision - escape or live under communist rule forever. What followed was 17 harrowing days at sea with storms so dangerous that her father told them they might need to tie themselves together to die as a family. But they survived, and Til's journey from that terrified 11-year-old to successful entrepreneur will completely change how you think about resilience and the American Dream. In this episode you will discover: - How her family planned their escape for 2 years without anyone knowing - The moment they were pushed out of the Philippines with no fuel, oil, food or water - Working peeling shrimp for Red Lobster contractors until her fingers bled just to pay rent - Making her first $5,000 real estate commission that changed everything - Building a business helping hundreds of families buy homes without credit checks - Her transformation at 50 when she decided to stop living for others Follow TIl: 📸 Her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/til.lowery/ 🌐 Her Website: https://tillowery.com/ Follow me 📸 Instagram: @passportjane 👤 Facebook: @jane.byrd.154819 for behind-the-scenes, updates, and guest highlights! 🎧 Listen This Episode on Your Favorite Platform https://passport-jane-podcast.captivate.fm/listen (Rate & review — it helps other women find these stories!) Subscribe for weekly episodes that will inspire you to live courageously on your own international journey! #immigrantstory #RealEstate #Vietnam #SuccessStory #Entrepreneur #Inspiration #AmericanDream

From Global Celebrity to Global Real Estate - My 4 Country Journey

🌍 Welcome to The Passport Jane Podcast! At 18, Nathalie became a reality TV star in Madagascar, competing against 1,000+ contestants on "Pazzapa." But fame felt like a prison. So at 19, she left everything behind and moved to France with just her suitcases. Working multiple jobs while studying (mall sales, law firm receptionist), she continued her music career across Europe, eventually earning French citizenship and moving to London. Then love changed everything - she met Chris Dave, a Grammy-winning musician who's worked with Adele, Justin Bieber, and Ed Sheeran. During COVID, Nathalie took the ultimate leap of faith: moving to Houston (via Turkey due to travel bans) - a city she'd never even visited. The culture shock was real, but after some postpartum struggles and a disastrous 2-week corporate job, she found her calling in international real estate. What you'll discover: * Growing up in Madagascar and dealing with early fame * The challenges of being a student immigrant in France * Working three jobs while pursuing music and studies * Cultural differences between Europe and Texas * Meeting and marrying a Grammy-winning musician * Moving to Houston during the pandemic * Overcoming imposter syndrome in real estate * How Houston surprised her as a diverse, global city * Building generational wealth through real estate Follow Nathalie: 📸 Her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathaliedave_re/ 🌐 Her Website: www.ndre.global 🎤 Her last show as a singer: https://youtu.be/OURaMwtzaXU Follow me 📸 Instagram: @passportjane 👤 Facebook: @jane.byrd.154819 for behind-the-scenes, updates, and guest highlights! 🎧 Listen This Episode on Your Favorite Platform https://passport-jane-podcast.captivate.fm/listen (Rate & review — it helps other women find these stories!) Subscribe for weekly episodes that will inspire you to live courageously on your own international journey! #ExpatLife #WomenAbroad #InternationalLiving #TravelPodcast #ExpatWomen #Immigration #RealEstate #Madagascar #Houston #ExpatLife #CareerChange #MusicIndustry

I Walked 111 km in Spain to Find Myself

After 17 years of marriage, Jeannette Peña found herself rebuilding her life as a single mother of 5 children. How did she transform this challenge into becoming a top real estate producer? - What you'll discover: ✅ How she maintained stability for her kids in the same neighborhood ✅ Starting her real estate career 2 months after having her 4th baby ✅ Becoming rookie of the year in her first year ✅ Her journey from architect in Mexico to Houston real estate ✅ Why she took the 111 km Camino de Santiago pilgrimage alone ✅ Her volunteer work as Eucharistic minister with dying patients - Key moments from the interview: - Born in US, raised in Monterrey, Mexico - Moved to Texas at 25 with her husband - Discovered Sephardic Jewish roots 12 generations back - Her grandfather taught her to drive at age 9 - Her inability to cook launched a platform for her son to excel at cooking Her book 'Reborn' chronicles this transformation journey. - 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @passportjane Facebook: @jane.byrd.154819 for behind-the-scenes, updates, and guest highlights! 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: https://passport-jane-podcast.captivate.fm/listen (Rate & review — it helps other women find these stories!) Subscribe for weekly episodes that will inspire you to live courageously on your own international journey! #expatlife #WomenAbroad #InternationalLiving #TravelPodcast #ExpatWomen #SingleMom #RealEstate #Resilience #Texas #Architecture #Entrepreneur #RenaSer #ReBorn #passportjane #passportjanebyrd #janebyrd

She Started Over after 50 in Mexico (Amazing Results)

🌍 Welcome to The Passport Jane Podcast! At 50, Carol thought her life was over. Her husband had just left her, her finances were in ruins, and she found herself alone for the first time since she was 17. But sometimes endings become new beginnings... Today, Carol is living her best life in Mérida, Mexico. She runs her own pet-sitting business, gets emergency medical care for $90 (instead of thousands), takes $4 Uber comfort rides, and has discovered an incredible international community. Her story proves it's never too late to start over. 🌟 Key Points from This Story: - How she discovered Mérida by accident - The day everything collapsed financially - Her strategy for rebuilding her life from zero - Why the Mexican healthcare system amazed her - The unexpected business opportunities she found 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @passportjane Facebook: @jane.byrd.154819 for behind-the-scenes, updates, and guest highlights! 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: https://passport-jane-podcast.captivate.fm/listen (Rate & review — it helps other women find these stories!) Subscribe for weekly episodes that will inspire you to live courageously on your own international journey! #ExpatLife #WomenAbroad #InternationalLiving #TravelPodcast #ExpatWomen #mexico

She's Lived in Multiple Countries - Now Offers Concierge Services in Mérida Mexico

Xio's story will inspire anyone considering an international move. 🌍 Xio incredible journey: - 30-year career in luxury hotel management (Hilton, Marriott, Intercontinental) - Fluent in several languages - Moved to Merida, Mexico and built custom dream home in 6 months - Now runs successful real estate business helping expats 🏠 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: ✓ Why Merida beats European cities for expat living ✓ Real costs of building custom homes in Mexico ✓ Why foreigners need different buying strategies ✓ The cultural benefits Americans often miss Xio proves that reinventing yourself internationally isn't just possible - it can lead to your most fulfilling chapter yet. Whether you're considering Mexico or just love international lifestyle stories, this conversation offers real insights from someone who's mastered the art of global living. 📞 CONNECT WITH Xio: Website: discovermexicohomes.com 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @passportjane Facebook: @jane.byrd.154819 for behind-the-scenes, updates, and guest highlights! 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: https://passport-jane-podcast.captivate.fm/listen (Rate & review — it helps other women find these stories!) Subscribe for weekly episodes that will inspire you to live courageously on your own international journey! #expatlife #womenabroad #internationalliving #travelpodcast #expatwomen #mexico 00:00 - Introduction 01:53 - Guest Introduction and Background 04:00 - Xio's Early Life and Education 08:19 - Moving to Merida 10:07 - Building a House in Merida 15:16 - Exploring Downtown Merida 18:27 - Exploring Haciendas and Cenotes 23:47 - Making Friends in Merida 26:10 - Exploring the Food Scene 29:06 - Starting a Real Estate Business in Merida 34:37 - Xio's Artistic Side