Carrying Home Within: Navigating the Holidays, Grief, and Life Abroad with Christina Babich

In this episode, Christina — a clinical psychologist who understands the beautifully tangled inner world of expats and digital nomads — opens a window into the emotional landscapes that come with living between cultures. We talk about how trauma, grief and past experiences travel with us, the different ways psychology shows up around the world, and what it really means to build a sense of home when everything feels in motion. Christina shares thoughtful, comforting strategies for navigating the holiday season, reminding us to treat ourselves with compassion and stay connected to the body’s wisdom. She also speaks to the quiet power of community and support, especially when life abroad feels heavy or uncertain.To reach out to Christina, visit her websitehttps://www.christinababich.com/Here’s the link to our Glam4Good Ulta Beauty BIPOC founders beauty kits. https://www.ulta.com/p/bipoc-founders-beauty-discovery-kit-pimprod2053478?sku=2647650100% of net proceeds benefit Glam4Good, empowering beauty with purpose.You can follow me on Instagram @nneya or tiktok @nneyarichards00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene01:39 Christina's Journey to Budapest04:49 Cultural Perspectives on Psychology09:20 Navigating Grief and Trauma14:08 Finding Home and Stability18:31 Mind-Body Connection in Therapy23:35 Coping with Holiday Triggers27:54 Creating New Traditions as Expats32:42 Advice for Staying Sane During the Holidays

This week is a solo episode where I catch you guys up on how we spent the Thanksgiving holiday. My mom's in town, Michele gave a tear-jerking speech, we had a Jamaican-Italian gala charity dinner that was featured in Vogue Italia and a beautiful stay at The Place in Florence. It was also a week of some pretty special firsts...Wow... what a packed week. Listen, subscribe and review! It helps people find us!Follow me! ⁠@nneya⁠ on IG

Nneya sits down with Kayla Jagusch—founder of Even Numbers—to discuss moving to Milan during the pandemic, building creative community, navigating entrepreneurship in Italy, and using art as a bridge for connection. Kayla shares insights from her New York upbringing, her work with major global brands, and her journey toward defining home through self-expression, cultural exchange, and belonging.Listen, subscribe and review! It helps people find us!Follow Kayla on Instagram and Tiktok @kaylajagAnd Even Numbers on IG and Tiktok @evennumbers.milanoAnd me! @nneya on IG

In this episode, I'm chatting with American journalist and comedian Molly Mulshine who now calls Dublin home. We chat about the cultural differences in parenting, the cost of living, and the vibrant comedy scene in Dublin. We go from immigration and tradwives to the Real Housewives of Potomac and the House of Guiness. It's a fun conversation you won't want to miss! And of course, Molly shares her must-sees in Dublin!Like, comment, review! It helps people find us!Check out Molly's viral Real Life Emojis videoFollow Molly on Substack Molly Mulshine and Instagram @MollyMulshineand keep up with me on Instagram @nneya

Today I'm chatting with an old dear friend from Amherst College, Allie Canton who is a meditation teacher and the author of Practically on Purpose, a Substack and podcast for high achievers who collected all the gold stars and are now looking for deeper meaning, purpose and joy. She's also a healthcare technology lawyer advising high-growth startups and volunteers with causes supporting health care access and immigrants' rights across the Hudson Valley.In this conversation, we explore the themes of community, immigrant experiences, and the importance of family. We discuss our educational journeys in elite institutions, the challenges of navigating career choices, and the cultural differences in parenting. The conversation highlights the significance of building connections in new environments, the balance between work and personal life, and the role of spirituality in our lives. Check out Allie's Substack Practically On Purposeand keep up with me on Instagram @nneyaChapters00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene07:33 The Impact of Community and Responsibility10:25 Navigating Education and Career Choices13:20 Cultural Identity and Family Support16:12 Experiences in Higher Education19:10 Building Community in Corporate Environments25:41 Navigating the Startup Culture28:11 Balancing Work and Personal Life31:39 The Impact of Environment on Well-being35:13 Rebuilding Life with Intention38:38 Creating Community in New Surroundings44:34 Supporting Community and Institutions45:21 Navigating Friendships and Career Changes47:23 Shifting Perspectives on Work and Identity48:45 The Importance of Family Time51:03 Cultural Differences in Parenting53:24 Community vs. Individual Happiness55:54 Innovation and Tradition in Society58:44 Embracing Chaos and Creativity01:04:31 Defining Home and Belonging01:05:28 Building Home outro - 2:4:25, 2.59 PM.mp3

In this episode of Building Home, I share my insight on the au pair experience, drawing from my own time aupairing in Italy and discussing a recent news story about an American au pair who fled her host family. I explore the cultural differences and challenges faced by au pairs, contrasting my positive experience with that of the young woman who struggled. The conversation also delves into the Netflix show 'The Secrets We Keep,' which examines the complexities of the au pair system and the dynamics of domestic help, highlighting issues of privilege and cultural exchange.Thanks for listening! Like, subscribe, leave a review or comment and follow me on Instagram @NneyaThe People Mag article

This is the real life Under the Tuscan Sun... but in Abruzzo... and you don't have to be retired. You can buy that affordable home in Italy now, for you and your family. It's wildly different but Cassie and her fam is making it work! Nneya speaks with Cassie of @RootlessInItaly about her journey from the US to Italy, exploring themes of cultural integration, parenting, and small town community dynamics. Cassandra shares her experiences of giving birth in the Czech Republic, the challenges and joys of raising a multilingual child, and the process of renovating their home in Italy. They discuss the one euro house phenomenon and the implications of gentrification in small towns, emphasizing the importance of community and connection in their new life abroad.Follow Cassie on Instagram @rootlessinItalyand me ⁠@nneya

In this engaging conversation, Nneya Richards and Sofía Zanotti explore the themes of community building, entrepreneurship, and cultural differences in parenting as they navigate life in Bergamo, Italy. Sofi shares her journey as a founder of the Perla community, emphasizing the importance of connection among international women. They discuss the unique aspects of parenting in a new country, the beauty of Bergamo, and Sofía's journey from Paraguay to building her home in Northern Italy. The conversation highlights the significance of patience and the joy of creating a vibrant community and is recorded live at Perla cafe in the city of Bergamo!Follow Sofía and the Perla community on Instagram @perla_community and @sofizanottiand me @nneya

If Portugal has been on your destination bucketlist for a while, listen to this podcast before you book your flight! In this engaging conversation, Nneya Richards speaks with Margo Gabriel, a Haitian-American journalist and culinary expert based in Lisbon, Portugal. They explore Margo's journey from Boston to Lisbon, her experiences as a Black woman in both cities, and the vibrant culinary scene that reflects her heritage. Margo shares insights on the evolving food culture in Boston, the challenges of moving during the pandemic, and the importance of community and storytelling in her work. The discussion also touches on the complexities of race, identity, and the collaborative spirit of Lisbon's food scene, culminating in Margo's upcoming projects that celebrate Afro-diasporic culture.Follow more of Margo's Portguese culinary pursuits on Instagram @margoscreativelifeAnd me @nneyaLeave a rating and let us know what you think!

In this episode of Building Home, host Nneya Richards speaks with Bettina Prentice, a renowned curator and cultural strategist, about her journey from New York to London, the art of hosting salons, and the importance of community in the contemporary art world. They discuss the role of artists in society, the significance of spirituality in art, and the cultural differences between New York and London. Bettina shares her experiences with the Artemis Council and her vision for supporting emerging artists, while also reflecting on what home means to her.00:00 Living in Historical Splendor01:52 Curating Conversations and Salons04:41 Creating Immersive Experiences07:12 Art and Cultural Shifts12:44 The Role of Artists in Society18:03 Life in London: A Cultural Transition23:43 Embracing Community and Green Spaces39:40 The Beauty of Train Travel and Slow LivingFollow Bettina's work and her salons on @Prentice_Cultural.See more of Saaya Woolfalk's work: https://www.sayawoolfalk.com/You can follow me living my expat life on @nneyaPardon the sound issues we experienced towards the end of this episode.