![[THE BITTERSWEET PAST] The Science Behind Language Learning (with Lisa Wilcox)](https://thebittersweetlife.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/BSP-08-The-Science-of-Language-Learning-wide-1080x675.jpg)
Episode 573: Getting Sick in Italy
Getting sick in Italy: what does it entail? How much does medical care cost? As an expat, how does the Italian medical system differ from that of the United States? Is Italian healthcare really as disorganized as it can sometimes seem? And is European socialized...![[THE BITTERSWEET PAST] The Unexpected Trauma of Moving, Part 2](https://thebittersweetlife.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/TBP-The-Unexpected-Trauma-of-Moving-Part-2-wide-1080x675.jpg)
[THE BITTERSWEET PAST] The Unexpected Trauma of Moving, Part 2
The Unexpected Trauma of Moving, Part 2, an episode from our archives, was inspired by a letter from a listener who was encouraged by The Bittersweet Life to move to a new city. Katy moved to Rome once. Does that mean she’d be brave enough to do it again? Are...
Episode 572: A Crazy Student Falls in Love with Italian (with Melissa Muldoon)
Have you ever lost your mind over a foreign language? In Episode 572: A Crazy Student Falls in Love with Italian, we’re joined by Melissa Muldoon, who did just that over 15 years ago, when she dove head first into studying the Italian language. She was so crazy about...![[THE BITTERSWEET PAST] The Unexpected Trauma of Moving, Part 1](https://thebittersweetlife.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/BSP-06-The-Unexpected-Trauma-of-Moivng-Part-1.jpg)
[THE BITTERSWEET PAST] The Unexpected Trauma of Moving, Part 1
On The Unexpected Trauma of Moving, Part 1, an episode from our archives, Tiffany and Katy both say goodbye to their old lives: Tiffany moves out of her Trastevere apartment and braves the Roman outskirts for the first time in over a decade as an expat, and...![[THE BITTERSWEET PAST] How Traveling Makes You Rude](https://thebittersweetlife.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/TBP-How-Traveling-Makes-You-Rude-Wide-1080x675.jpg)
[THE BITTERSWEET PAST] How Traveling Makes You Rude
How Traveling Makes You Rude, an episode from our archives, looks at the cultural differences that can make travelers commit etiquette mistakes without realizing it. Have you ever walked into someone’s house in Japan with your shoes on and had a room full of people...
The Bittersweet Life
Life doesn’t have a script. At least, it doesn’t have to. Hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks explore the challenges and joys of moving abroad and moving home. Whether you’re living overseas, or not — or not yet — join us weekly for unadulterated conversation. Get to know Rome. Laugh at our embarrassments and insights. Most of all, imagine the possibilities for your own life (and meet some famous authors along the way).
Episode 646: Celebrating Life while You’re Alive (with Katy’s sisters)
Today we’re joined by Katy’s sisters, Dana and Sara, to chat about what’s on the horizon for Dana, considering her diagnosis of terminal brain cancer last year.
As always, Dana shares inspiring words of hope and fortitude, proving that a terminal cancer diagnosis doesn’t necessarily mean an instant end to a happy and rich life.
They also attempt to address the question: would you want to know how much time you have left? For most of us, this is abstract question we’ll never have to face. But Dana has a unique perspective on this.
She also considers what exactly she wants her life to look like at the very end, and the benefits of stopping the fight sooner in order to enjoy a peaceful closing with the people she loves, in the places she loves.
And also, since a celebration of life (which Dana has opted for instead of a memorial) is about LIFE, hear about Dana’s plans to attend her own, while she is still alive.
***To help katy’s sister Dana and her family with the staggering medical costs of her stage 4 agressive brain cancer—her specialist is outside her insurance network—as well of the costs of temporarily relocating to San Francsico for her treatments, please consider donating to her GoFundMe. Anything you can contribute will be extremely helpful. Thank you.***
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NEW TO THE SHOW? Don’t be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET
BOOK: Want to read Tiffany’s book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon.
TOUR ROME: If you’re traveling to Rome, don’t miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!
September 14, 2026
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