How did I get here?

I'll never be French (or Spanish!)

In this episode, Liam and Tom dive into what it feels like to live in a country where you speak the language, know the people, even raise a family — but still never quite feel like you belong. They reflect on: * That moment you realise “I’ll never be French/Spanish/etc.” even if you stay forever. * Language fluency not being enough cultural references from childhood matter more. * Living somewhere that’s not your home country doesn’t automatically mean it becomes home. * Liam accepts he'll never truly be Spanish and finds peace in that. * Tom shares how his friend (who is fluent in French and married to a French woman) still doesn’t feel French. * The concept of gratitude toward your adopted country especially compared to entitled expat attitudes. * The bureaucracy in France and Spain: it can feel unwelcoming, but is often designed to protect locals, not exclude foreigners. * How British culture isolates people through hyper-independence, while Mediterranean cultures foster community, family, and support networks. * Their parents’ and grandparents’ immigrant stories, and how that shapes their own views on belonging. * Navigating identity when you're neither here nor there just living in-between. There are also fun, offbeat tangents on: * Productivity pressure (The Rock, 4am workouts, motivational guilt) * Nicolas Cage’s wild appearance on Terry Wogan * Ray-Ban smart glasses (aka “sin bins”) * Late-night snack regret and underwhelming snacks abroad

Reasons for leaving your home country

First up, there are some strange audio issues later in the episode. It sounds like we have a ghost in the room, but I think it was the software trying to reduce the background noise. I'll try a quieter room next time! This introductory episode sets the stage for a podcast that explores the emotional, social, and cultural dimensions of leaving one’s home country and starting a new life abroad — beyond the usual logistical topics like visas and taxes. Liam (now living in southern Spain) and Tom (living near Monaco in southern France) reflect on: * Their friendship from childhood in West London. * Contrasting reasons and methods for leaving the UK – Liam driven by boredom and the desire for change, Tom prompted by his partner’s job opportunity. * Emotional and cultural challenges of settling into new countries. * Family immigrant backgrounds (Irish for Liam, Italian for Tom). * The fantasy vs. reality of moving abroad. * How their upbringings, careers, and relationships influenced their choices. * Cultural observations and humorous stories about relocation. * Tribute to Brian Wilson and the emotional weight of cultural figures passing. The episode is informal, reflective, and peppered with tangents that highlight their personalities and conversational chemistry. It's meant to feel like listening in on an honest chat between two old friends who have taken bold steps in life and want to explore what it really feels like to start over. Chapters: 00:00 – Opening Banter & Recording Nerves 00:42 – What the Podcast Is About 01:37 – Meet the Hosts 02:55 – Life in Spain vs. France 03:55 – Family Backgrounds & Heritage 04:53 – How Liam Moved to Spain (Loot Van & All) 05:17 – Childhood Influences & Media Fantasies 06:48 – Tribute to Brian Wilson & Glastonbury 09:19 – Pirate Radio & Radio Caroline 11:33 – Career Backgrounds 14:00 – Shifting into the Main Topic: Reasons for Leaving 16:07 – Tom’s Story: Moving for a Job in Monaco 18:26 – Liam’s Story: From London to Nottingham to Spain 23:57 – Why Nottingham Felt Different 27:04 – The One-Way Van Move to Spain 30:53 – Life in Monaco Begins 32:00 – Two Mindsets: Seeking More vs. Sentimentality 36:00 – The American Dream & Cultural Influence 42:00 – Differences in Personality & Adaptation 45:00 – Living in Two Very Different Places 47:00 – Wrapping Up: Why We’re Doing This Podcast