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On The Science Behind Language Learning, an eye-opening interview with special guest Lisa Wilcox, taken from our archives, we explore the science of language learning through linguistics and speech pathology. Sound boring? Turns out, it is actually really funny. And...![[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)
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[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)
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[THE BITTERSWEET PAST] The Repurposing of Rome
In The Repurposing of Rome, an episode from our archives, we hit the streets of Rome with our recording equipment to search for ancient ruined artifacts or “spoglie” hidden in plain sight. Rome is a city that has been repurposed like no other. It has been inhabited...
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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COME TO ROME WITH US: Our 4th annual Bittersweet Life Roman Adventure, taking place from 1 to 7 November 2026, is officially sold out! If you’d like to be on our first-dibs mailing list to make sure you don’t miss out on future trips, just send us an email!
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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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