Foreign, Or

Olivier | A Gypsy Workaholic in Bangkok

You just can’t keep up with a Hero. Olivier Dressen [https://www.olivierdressen.com/], aka Hero [https://www.olivierdressen.com/], is a multidisciplinary artist that just can’t stop working. “To be an artist is to be cursed,” he muses, and it’s clear that the curse of creativity will not let this Belgium-born Bangkok resident rest. From gypsy roots to indie film fame, Olivier has creative-directed multinational teams from Paris to Shanghai to LA and beyond. We talk financing your freedom to create what you want, directing actors solely based on raw emotion, and developing creative community wherever you go. There’s not enough time to cover all this man’s artistic accolades so PLEASE, peep these: LINKS https://www.herodirector.tv/ [https://www.herodirector.tv/]  https://designhero.tv/ [https://designhero.tv/] https://www.olivierdressen.com/ [https://www.olivierdressen.com/] https://www.studiosupremefilms.com/ [https://www.studiosupremefilms.com/] designhero.shop [https://designhero.shop/?variant=46794661265741] https://www.instagram.com/herodirector/ [https://www.instagram.com/herodirector/]   MUSIC Les Yeux Noirs (Dark Eyes) | Django Reinhardt | Pomplamoose ft. The Vignes Rooftop Revival [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfiqW1WaGbw] Summer in Portofino [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egtnMCQ2pPY] SPRITE x GUYGEEGEE - ทน [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNO6kMJB63I]

Shan Shan | A Fantasy Novelist Living the American Dream

My host sister from China, Shan Shan Nie [https://shanshannie.com/], is a lot to live up to. With a masters’ from Harvard, a corporate job leading leaders, and a newly published novel this Sichuan-born beauty embodies the American dream. In our chat we go from rebelling to excelling, hacking the ACT/SAT exams, using higher education to serve a purpose, and self-financing your dreams. We also nerd out on crafting characters, choosing what to reveal to your audience, influencing young adults in the fantasy adventure genre, how to better connect with readers, and other lessons learned from countless manuscript revisions. Check out this sister-sister convo on leadership, resilience, and an ode to those old school pocket translators! LINKS Website [https://shanshannie.com/] The Belt of Chaos [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWCZMDHC] on Amazon MUSIC Chinese Middle School Calisthenics Jam [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuMIomW9wwg]  Ondara - "American Dream"  [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXeQgxPE2xc&list=PLen-C4AcZd2O-66Jse_0-AOcv0q4Y2YwI&index=22] The Dragon Boy / The Bottomless Pitt (From 'Spirited Away') [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVzVfltnmYA&list=PLen-C4AcZd2O-66Jse_0-AOcv0q4Y2YwI&index=22]

Urmi | An Italian Bengali Toastmaster

Urmi Hossain is the perfect brown girl. At least that's what her Bengali parents want her to be— and like many Southeast Asian women she still struggles against those rigid cultural norms. We talk to this third culture kid about growing up in Italy, Muslims in Montreal, and the family expectations that led her to fight for women's empowerment. Bonus: get some Toastmaster tips on public speaking in your non-native tongue! LINKS Check out Urmi's website [https://www.myways.ca/], watch her spit wisdom on how to pass your CFA exam [https://www.youtube.com/@urmihossain] on YouTube, and get her book Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth From Interracial Struggle [https://www.amazon.ca/Discovering-Your-Identity-Interracial-Struggle/dp/B0B6XJ6Y3Q] on Amazon. MUSIC Cu Ti Lu Dissi - Amanda Pascali (Sicilian folk song) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7AWL-zIovc] Renato Carosone - Tu Vuò Fa LAmericano [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqlJwMFtMCs] Maher Zain - Assalamu Alayka (Arabic) ماهر زين - السلام عليك [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwg9Lf5ruUE]

Scammed Abroad | Part 2

In part one we introduced some of your juiciest scammer stories. But in part two we had to ask ourselves: were these ForeignOrs really scammed? Or did they just learn some tough lessons about life abroad? Judge for yourself as Dill gets arrested, Renzo gets off scot-free, and Bob continues to twist trust in a fairytale place called Nomadland.

Scammed Abroad | Part 1

Living a somewhat disjointed life filled with translations and transient people ForeignOrs can make a perfect target— or unknowing accomplice— in a scam.  In part one we dive into pyramid schemes, a cariñoso con artist who cheats friends out of their money, and 'Bob-types'— enigmatic serial entrepreneurs who prey on digital nomads.