Thriving in Spain

EP24 Unlearning the Good Girl, with Laura Mcneice

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and student Laura to explore something many women feel but rarely name out loud: the lifelong pressure to be “the good girl.” The polite one. The peacekeeper. The non-threatening high achiever. The one who anticipates everyone’s needs, stays agreeable, and makes life easier for others — even when it costs her something. Together we unpack how this Good Girl identity forms, how it’s reinforced by family, school, culture, work environments, and gender expectations, and how it quietly shapes our behavior well into adulthood. Through our stories and an ontological coaching lens, we talk about: * The invisible rules women learn to follow from childhood * How culture, society, and unspoken expectations shape our identity * Self-abandonment, conflict avoidance, and “being nice” at our own expense * Weaponized incompetence and the mental load * The roles we perform — entertainers, peacekeepers, caretakers — and what happens when we stop * The moment you realize: “I don’t want to be the good girl anymore” This is a conversation about reclaiming your power, questioning the silent rules you inherited, and choosing authenticity over approval. If you’ve ever felt responsible for everyone else’s comfort or found yourself playing roles you never consciously chose, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air — and maybe a small revolution. You can book a coaching session with me in English or Spanish here: ⁠⁠www.thespanishontheroad.com/coachingforexpats⁠⁠⁠ [www.thespanishontheroad.com/coachingforexpats] 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes about expat life & emotional confidence.

EP23 They Didn’t Even Ask for It

This episode is tender, honest, and probably exactly what you need before the holidays. We talk about that familiar, uncomfortable moment when someone expects something from you — your time, your help, your emotional labor — and they didn’t even ask. No conversation. No request. Just silent expectations floating in the air. I share the childhood story behind my own “you didn’t even ask for it” wound, how these patterns resurface during family visits, and why Christmas can reactivate the versions of ourselves we’ve already outgrown. Through a feminist lens and the clarity of ontological coaching, we explore why so many women are raised to anticipate others’ needs before their own… and how to break that cycle. You’ll learn * Why returning home can reawaken old identities * The difference between an expectation and a real request * The five conditions of a valid request in ontological coaching * How to use your body as a boundary detector * Simple but powerful practices to protect your energy this season * What it means to show up as the woman you’ve become — not the girl they remember If you’re tired of over-giving, over-explaining, or being assigned roles you never agreed to, this episode will bring you clarity, grounding, and a whole lot of permission to choose yourself. You can book a coaching session with me in English or Spanish here: ⁠⁠⁠www.thespanishontheroad.com/coachingforexpats⁠⁠⁠ [www.thespanishontheroad.com/coachingforexpats] 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes about expat life & emotional confidence.

EP22 - Homesickness During the Holidays: How to Hold Yourself With Kindness

Homesickness during the holidays isn’t weakness — it’s emotional information. In this episode, we explore the deeper meaning behind longing, nostalgia, and the ache that appears when you’re far from home during December. You’ll learn how homesickness relates to identity, grief, belonging, and the transition between your past self and your present self. With practical tools, emotional reframes, and a compassionate lens, this episode helps you meet your homesickness with kindness instead of judgment. If the holidays feel heavy, and you need emotional support, I’m here for you. ⁠www.thespanishontheroad.com/coachingforexpats⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.thespanishontheroad.com/coachingforexpats] 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes about expat life & emotional confidence.

EP21 The Family Conversations You’re Dreading This Christmas

Holiday season as an expat brings joy… and a lot of emotional tension. In this episode, we unpack the family conversations you might be dreading: the questions, the expectations, the pressure to justify your choices, and the subtle comments that touch old wounds. You’ll learn how to distinguish present-you from past-you, how old family dynamics get activated, how to set gentle boundaries, and how to protect your sense of self during the holidays. If you feel anxiety, guilt, or emotional overload around December conversations, this episode will support you with clarity and compassion. Need help navigating family expectations and emotional boundaries? www.thespanishontheroad.com/coachingforexpats⁠⁠⁠ [www.thespanishontheroad.com/coachingforexpats] 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes about expat life & emotional confidence.

EP20 Your Expat Identity Is Not a Personality Change — It’s a New Observer

Living abroad can make you feel like you’re becoming a completely different person… but you’re not. Your personality isn’t changing — your observer is expanding. In this episode, we explore how language, culture, emotional safety, and inner narratives shape your sense of identity in Spain. You’ll learn why you sometimes feel like a softer, louder, quieter, braver, or more emotional version of yourself — and how to understand this transformation without fear. This is a gentle, grounding episode about identity, belonging, personal evolution, and the emotional layers of starting over in a new country. If you’re navigating an identity transition abroad, you don’t have to do it alone: ⁠⁠www.thespanishontheroad.com/coachingforexpats⁠⁠ [www.thespanishontheroad.com/coachingforexpats] 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes about expat life & emotional confidence.