From Fiji to Mexico to Provence: Adventures in Retirement with Carl and Cheryl

One Month Left In France: Life Updates and Answering Your Burning Questions!

In this episode of the Away We Go podcast, we're back with an update on the big move! It's been a few weeks since we officially announced that we're trading our French life for sunny San Diego, and a lot has happened since then. With just one month left on the ground here, we're sharing where things stand, what the countdown has actually looked like, and the mix of emotions that comes with closing this chapter. We also reflect on the bigger "why" behind it all. Three years ago, we packed up our lives and moved to France with our ten-month-old twins because we believed we could do hard things. Now we're doing another hard thing: heading back to the US as Sophie launches her new tech company, Elstori,  supporting women through postpartum and early motherhood. (Spoiler: doing scary things never really stops, you just get better at it.) Plus, we take you along on our final French adventure, a trip to the French Riviera that turned out to be the perfect send-off.  And of course, we're answering YOUR questions! We pulled a bunch from Instagram and got into everything you've been asking about the move, life abroad, and what's next. Links: elstori.com/waitlist https://www.white1921.com/en https://www.menton-riviera-merveilles.fr/offres/restaurant-da-franci-menton-fr-5404904/ https://www.instagram.com/florencechamppp/

From Fiji to Mexico to Provence: Adventures in Retirement with Carl and Cheryl

In this episode of Away We Go We Go, we sit down with our dear friends Carl and Cheryl to talk about the adventurous, unconventional life they’ve built together—from retiring early in Arizona to living in Mexico, traveling through New Zealand and Italy, almost building an off-grid home in Fiji, and ultimately landing here in Provence. What started as a shared love of scuba diving and travel slowly evolved into a much bigger philosophy about life, risk, and choosing experiences over comfort. Their story is full of incredible moments, unexpected detours, and a reminder that there’s no single “right” way to live. We talk about everything from culture shock and language barriers to the emotional reality of starting over in new countries later in life. Carl and Cheryl open up about the moments that truly tested them, including the devastating cyclone that destroyed their Fiji plans just weeks before they were supposed to make the move. Through all of it, they share how they’ve learned to adapt, trust themselves, support each other, and stay open to whatever life throws their way. This conversation is funny, heartfelt, and deeply inspiring. At its core, it’s about building a rich life—not through possessions or predictability, but through curiosity, resilience, connection, and the courage to keep saying yes to adventure. Whether you’re dreaming about moving abroad, navigating a major life transition, or simply wondering what’s possible for your future, this episode is a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to choose a different path. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review if you’re enjoying the show, and thank you for being a part of our journey. Contact info: Instagram:  @the_eptons  [https://www.instagram.com/the_eptons/] -Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

Our Biggest Update Yet!!!

In this episode of Away We Go We Go, we’re sharing our biggest update yet—and it’s a big one. We officially launched Sophie’s new tech company, built to support women through postpartum and early motherhood, and we’re also preparing for another major life shift: moving from Aix-en-Provence to San Diego this summer. We walk through how quickly this decision came together, why now felt like the right time, and what it’s been like building something so meaningful behind the scenes while navigating life abroad with two young kids. We also open up about the deeply personal journey that led to this moment. Sophie shares her experience with a difficult postpartum period following Luca’s birth, the emotional toll it took, and how that season ultimately sparked the vision for her company. From hitting a breaking point to slowly rebuilding and finding clarity, this chapter of our lives has shaped not only who we are, but what we feel called to create and contribute moving forward. This episode is equal parts exciting and bittersweet. While we’re energized by what’s ahead—building a company, returning to the U.S., and stepping into a new chapter—we’re also reflecting on everything France has given us over the past few years. The memories, the growth, the challenges, and the beauty of this experience will always be part of us. As always, we’re leaning into the idea that you are the architect of your own life—and sometimes that means choosing a new adventure, even when it’s hard. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review if you’re enjoying the show, and thank you for being a part of our journey. Contact info: www.elstori.com [http://www.elstori.com] Instagram:  @the_eptons  [https://www.instagram.com/the_eptons/] @elstori.co [https://www.instagram.com/elstori.co/] -Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

Why The Challenge Is Always The Way

In this episode, we share a real-life snapshot of our current season—raising toddlers in France, navigating a recent car accident, and dealing with the ripple effects of unexpected challenges. What starts as a light, relatable conversation about disrupted plans and everyday chaos quickly opens up into a deeper look at what it actually feels like to build a life abroad. Between language barriers, visa delays, and moments of pure frustration, we reflect on how even small obstacles can feel magnified when you’re far from home—but also how meaningful this experience has been for our family. At the heart of this episode is something we’ve been talking about a lot lately: learning to reframe discomfort. Over the past three years, we’ve been stretched in ways we never expected, and we’ve realized that confidence doesn’t come before the hard things—it comes because of them. Through navigating unfamiliar systems, rebuilding community, and figuring things out as we go, we’ve developed a level of resilience and capability that only comes from being in the thick of it. These challenges haven’t just tested us—they’ve changed us in the best way. If there’s one thing we hope you take away, it’s this: discomfort doesn’t mean something is wrong—it often means you’re growing. Whether you’re facing a big life transition or just in a tough season, we’ve learned that leaning into those moments is where the real transformation happens. For us, every challenge we’ve faced here has shaped who we are becoming, and we truly believe that what feels hard right now might be preparing you for something even greater on the other side. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review if you’re enjoying the show, and thank you for being a part of our journey. Contact info: Instagram:  @the_eptons  [https://www.instagram.com/the_eptons/] -Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

Insider Secrets for a Perfect Spring Day in Provence

In this episode, we walk through what a perfect spring day in the South of France looks like from our perspective—and honestly, it’s our favorite time of year to be here. After a long, unpredictable winter, everything just comes alive: longer days, blooming trees, vibrant markets, and that unmistakable energy in the air. We share why April and May are truly peak season and how we’d plan an ideal day depending on the kind of experience you’re after—whether that’s slow countryside exploring, a lively market and shopping day, or soaking in the coastline. We break it down into three different day scenarios. First, a dreamy countryside day through the Luberon—starting with a sunrise drive, wandering through markets in Gordes, enjoying a relaxed, incredible lunch, and ending with wine and dinner surrounded by vineyards. Then we shift into a more high-energy, market-filled day around Aix-en-Provence, packed with antiques, food markets, shopping, and even tulip fields. Finally, we share a coastal day that blends relaxing by the water in Cassis with the option to level it up into a sunset dinner overlooking the Mediterranean in Èze. At the core of it all, we’re really highlighting how special this region is—you can experience nature, food, culture, shopping, and the sea all within a short drive. No matter which direction you go, you’re going to find something beautiful, and spring is when it all feels the most alive. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review if you’re enjoying the show, and thank you for being a part of our journey. Contact info: Instagram:  @the_eptons  [https://www.instagram.com/the_eptons/] -Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-