Episode 51: Looking Back: 9 Lessons From Our Move to Portugal

Episode 51: Looking Back: 9 Lessons From Our Move to Portugal

After more than three months away, we're back! Life got busy—but for good reasons. In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, Jason and Tracy return with a practical discussion about one of the biggest questions they get from people considering a move abroad: "If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?" Looking back after more than three years living in Portugal, we share nine lessons we wish we'd known before making the move. Some are practical, some are financial, and some are simply about mindset—but all of them come from real experience. In this episode, we discuss: * Learning the local language before you arrive * Why driving a manual transmission can matter * Choosing the right location—not just the right country * Planning realistically for finances * Finding the right schools and family support * Starting the decluttering process much earlier * When hiring local experts is worth every euro * Adjusting to a different culture and bureaucracy * Why, despite everything, we'd still encourage people to take the leap This isn't a "Portugal is perfect" episode, nor is it a list of complaints. It's an honest conversation about what surprised us, what challenged us, and what we'd tell anyone thinking about moving overseas. Whether you're dreaming of Portugal, another European country, or simply wondering what life as an expat is really like, we hope these lessons help you make a more informed—and less stressful—transition. Next episode: Why, after all the challenges, we decided to stay.

Episode 50: What We Miss After Living Abroad for 3 Years -- Mostly We Miss Certain Food

In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, we talk about what we actually miss after moving from the U.S. to Portugal in 2023.Some of it is small and even sort of humorous:--Gigantic drinks from QT--Casey’s breakfast pizza--Being able to find jalapeños and green onions whenever you wantSome of it is more practical:--The ease of running everyday errands--Driving that… makes sense--The ability to quickly travel back and see familyAnd some of it runs deeper:--Community--Colleagues--The intellectual energy of teaching and working alongside othersBut the surprising part is, we don’t miss nearly as much as we thought we would. We’ve built a new life, a new routine, and a new perspective. And while there are tradeoffs, this experience has reinforced something important: there’s no perfect place, only the place that fits the life you want to build.If you’ve ever thought about moving abroad—or just making a big life change—this episode is an honest look at what that really means.🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.

Episode 49: Episode 49: Moving Abroad Won’t Fix Your Problems (But It Might Change Them)

Moving abroad can seem like the perfect solution to burnout, politics, or simply wanting a fresh start. But does relocating actually fix your problems?In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, Jason and Tracy talk honestly about what life is really like after moving from Iowa to Portugal. They discuss the “honeymoon phase” of living abroad, the reality of navigating unfamiliar systems, and the identity shifts that come with leaving your career and home country behind.While Portugal has brought major benefits—greater safety, better healthcare access, and more work-life balance—the move also created new challenges: bureaucracy, cultural differences, and the emotional work of rebuilding a life from scratch.If you’re thinking about moving abroad, this episode offers a candid look at the trade-offs and what it actually takes to make the transition work.

Episode 48: What Has Changed About Us and What Hasn't 3 Years Into Our Move to Portugal

Nearly three years ago, we packed up our lives and moved from Iowa to Portugal. We expected some changes. We planned for others. But a lot of what actually shifted happened slowly — quietly — and in ways we didn’t fully notice until recently.In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, we reflect on who we were when we arrived and who we are now. We talk about how living in Portugal has changed our relationship with time, work, guilt, identity, parenting, and even ourselves — and what hasn’t changed at all.This isn’t a “pros and cons of moving abroad” episode. It’s a conversation about identity, control, and what happens when you step into a different system with different values and let it reshape you.In this episode, we talk about:How moving abroad slowly changes you in ways you didn’t planLetting go of control — and why that was harder than we expectedWhy we feel calmer, more present, and less defined by our jobsWhat Portugal has taught us about time, illness, and permission to stopHow our kids have changed by learning to be “the other”And why we’re no longer apologizing for who we areIf you’ve ever thought about moving abroad — or if you’ve felt the pull to change your life but weren’t sure what that would cost or give back — this episode is for you.🎧 As the Dinesens Turn chronicles the ongoing adventures of an ordinary family who decided to do something a little extraordinary.👉 Subscribe for new episodes and short clips👉 Share this episode with someone who’s feeling stuck or curious about what’s next

Episode 47: Christmas 2025

In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, Jason and Tracy talk about what Christmas season is really like in Portugal — from festive lights and roasted chestnuts to Christmas markets, baking traditions, and big travel dreams for the future. They share what makes the holidays feel special abroad, how Portuguese Christmas culture compares to back home, and why this season has sparked a renewed commitment to saying “yes” to the things they’ve always wanted to do. Along the way, the conversation takes a fun turn into Christmas baking for Portuguese students, bread-and-cheese obsessions, Spanish Christmas markets, whiskey discoveries, and the early seeds of a possible new podcast idea: Jason on the Rocks 🥃 * Christmas lights, markets, and the smell of roasted chestnuts in Portugal * Visiting Vigo, Spain for one of Europe’s biggest Christmas light displays * Portuguese vs. American holiday traditions * Christmas baking (and stress baking) abroad * Sharing American treats with Portuguese students * Bread, cheese, mulled wine, and holiday food favorites * A new idea: mixing whiskey tastings with tax talk * Dream travel plans for 2026 (London, Barcelona, Denmark & more) * Why this season is all about finally doing the things you keep talking about 00:00 – Welcome to As the Dinesens Turn 00:20 – Christmas time in Portugal 01:30 – Christmas markets & holiday vibes 01:49 – Trip to Vigo, Spain 03:36 – Mulled wine, bread & cheese 04:28 – Christmas baking traditions 06:01 – Whiskey discoveries in Portugal 06:25 – “Jason on the Rocks” podcast idea 08:55 – Making 2026 a year of experiences 10:07 – Travel dreams & future plans 12:28 – Wrap-up As the Dinesens Turn chronicles the adventures of a family from Iowa who decided to pack up their lives and move to Portugal — sharing the joys, challenges, culture shock, and everyday moments along the way 🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps:📌 About the Podcast: