Armchair Expat

Welcome to the very first episode of Armchair Expat. In this kickoff conversation, host Shannon Acton chats with Jen Barnett about her journey from Alabama to Mérida, Mexico—and how she turned her relocation experience into a powerful resource for others through her platform, Expatsi. Jen opens up about the political motivations behind her move, the surprises and challenges of settling into a new country, and the reality of building a business abroad. From housing headaches to hugs at Costco, this episode is packed with both inspiration and practical insight for anyone considering life beyond U.S. borders. What You’ll Learn: Why the decision to move abroad often starts with values and lifestyle What it takes to relocate The surprising struggles (and wins) of finding housing abroad How Expatsi is helping people find & explore their best-fit countries The stages of moving abroad—and why the process doesn’t have to be overwhelming Resources & Links: Wondering where should you move? Take the Expatsi te