Building Home: An Expat Podcast by Nneya Richards

Who Says You Can't Go Home? (They Call It Repatriation)

Everyone talks about the hard parts of moving abroad. No one talks about the hard part of moving back. This week I'm sitting down with my friend Sofía Zanotti (remember the Bergamo park friendship that our moms basically arranged for us?!) as she prepares to leave Italy after years of building a full life here: a coffee shop, an amazing community for women, a family, a home. She's heading back to Paraguay, and she's the first person to tell me that "home" doesn't mean what it used to. We talk about repatriation as its own kind of culture shock, what it means to go back as a different person than the one who left, what she's bringing with her, and why leaving the place you built might be harder than building it in the first place. Bring tissues. We did. Follow Sofía and the Perla Community on IG: https://www.instagram.com/perla_community/ [https://www.instagram.com/perla_community/] https://www.instagram.com/sofizanotti [https://www.instagram.com/sofizanotti] Here’s the original episode with Sofia: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Bf5mEJ1wfiMwgWcs0gGUL?si=db386fb33c984405 [https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Bf5mEJ1wfiMwgWcs0gGUL?si=db386fb33c984405]

From SoCal to Naples with Amby Mathur

Ambika moved to Naples by accident — a backpack, a birthday party, and a Neapolitan she wasn't planning on falling for. We talk career reinvention, bilingual love, and what it really takes to earn your place somewhere new. Like, comment and subscribe! Follow my adventures on instagram @nneya [https://www.instagram.com/nneya] and Amby's @ambymathur [https://www.instagram.com/ambymathur/?hl=en] Amby’s Honest Naples Travel Guide [https://www.travelwithamby.com/post/the-honest-naples-italy-travel-guide]

On Belonging Solo Episode Life Updates and Listener Questions on Life Here in Italy!

This solo episode I'm diving into two listener questions that come up A LOT. One woman has been dreaming of living in Europe since she was nine years old. She had Sicily and Malta booked for next month. Then the current immigration climate made her pull back — not because the dream died, but because she's a naturalized citizen trying to protect herself while the world feels unpredictable. The other is moving to Milan in December. Her question: is there a Black community there? Will I find my people? They don't know each other. But they're asking the same thing from different distances: will there be a place for me there? In this solo episode, I'm answering both of them — honestly, specifically, and without skipping the parts that most expat content pretends don't exist. We talk about the invisible homework Black women do before every international trip, what community actually looks like in Northern Italy, and what I've learned about belonging from living it in Bergamo. The world is uncertain. The dream is still valid. Both things are true. Let me know what you think! Like, comment and subscribe! Follow me on Instagram @nneya  [https://www.instagram.com/nneya]and on my Substack Ny's Dolce Vita [https://nysdolcevita.substack.com/]

All Sliding Doors Lead to Rome: Alison Sager’s Journey from the U.S. to a Sunny Life Growing into her own in Rome

Most people don't realize that building a life abroad is about more than just where you live—it's about who you become in the process. Allison Sager, a true citizen of the world, shares how her journey from the U.S. to Siena to Rome transformed her understanding of community, authenticity, and the soul of a place. Her story proves that stepping out of your comfort zone can unlock a lifetime of connection, purpose, and surprisingly, a bit of the Italian 'Viva!' spirit. In this episode, Allison opens up about her unexpected leap into Italy's travel scene—how a love for language and culture led her to stay in Siena for seven years, and ultimately, to founding Viva Lifestyle PR in Rome. We explore what it takes to thrive in a city that isn't your birthplace, from navigating gentrification and preserving local culture to living authentically despite the influx of tourism. She shares tangible tips for travelers: how to experience Rome responsibly, with respect for its neighborhoods, traditions, and hidden gems. Timing is everything in her story—and in yours. Whether you're contemplating a move abroad, planning your next trip, or simply seeking a deeper way to relate to the world, this episode offers inspiration and practical guidance on building a home away from home that’s rooted in respect, authenticity, and heart.Perfect for travelers, expatriates, community builders, and anyone dreaming of turning a foreign city into their own haven, this conversation encourages you to embrace the adventure of becoming part of a place—and letting it become part of you. 00:00 Living the Dream in Rome 02:35 Journey to Italy: A New Beginning 05:04 Building a Career in PR 08:04 The Essence of Viva Lifestyle 10:54 Cultural Reciprocity in Travel 13:21 Finding Community in Rome 16:00 Navigating Cultural Differences 18:29 The Impact of Gentrification in Rome 27:43 Gentrification and Its Impact on Rome 33:52 The Balance of Tourism and Local Culture 40:14 Conscious Travel Choices in Rome 45:55 Perceptions of American Politics in Rome Check out Alison PR company, Viva Lifestyle [https://vivalifestylepr.com/] Let me know what you think! Like, comment and subscribe! Follow me on Instagram @nneya [https://www.instagram.com/nneya] and on my Substack Ny's Dolce Vita [https://nysdolcevita.substack.com/]

Building Family and Building Home -- A Mother's Day Episode

Most moms swear by the chaos — but what if motherhood in a new place actually unlocks a deeper sense of home? In this heartfelt Mother's Day special, I'm going to give you an intimate glimpse into my life as a Black American mother thriving in Bergamo, Italy. And we're going around the world, chatting with mothers that I've had on the pod from Milan to Mexico City and hearing some of their thoughts on motherhood, how they're navigating and getting some sage advice. Blue also makes a cameo. Because of course. Curlers in my hair and Blue by my side, I'm discussing balancing the beauty and chaos of motherhood abroad, revealing how community, culture, and love redefine what home truly means. In a society where community can be fleeting, missing moments. Celebrating all the incredible mothers—near or far—who are shaping their families and their worlds, this special episode is a tribute to resilience, love, and the powerful role women play in creating a home wherever they are. Like, Comment and subscribe! It Makes a difference and to hear more from these amazing women, here are the links to their episodes. Good Craic in Dublin with Molly Mulshine [https://open.spotify.com/episode/1FLQT2qCkSioXhdv7TcksM?si=783aacaef49b48af] The Real Life Under the Tuscan Sun: Renovating in Italy with @RootlessinItaly [https://open.spotify.com/episode/1gQ2xbzRbu3QAIt4eq60SI?si=9d874876802a4a61] From Santa Monica to Lima - The Pushy Americana Fighting for Workplace Gender Equality in LATAM While Raising a Global Family with Courtney McColgan [https://open.spotify.com/episode/75LBP0dzNZkBkxONHprCOB?si=ee07fb4f41034d08] From NYC to Paris - Making Good on a Quarter Life Crisis with Ryan Norville [https://open.spotify.com/episode/0TIbhLH2uGDfDCI3qeokBn?si=4d3f680528ed4721] Across the Atlantic and Back Again - The Third Culture Kid Experience with Caterina Monda [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6YSs0cpHJbPK45H6n2PASJ?si=b57ea2102bd040ff] The Gold Star Kids Guide to International Community Building with Allie Canton [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5OE9r7oymN2Ton0NFPqc6s?si=dcc44aa5762741b1] From Paraguay to Italy: Pearls of Wisdom and Community with Sofia Zanotti [https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Bf5mEJ1wfiMwgWcs0gGUL?si=4f176ee04b314591]