Episodes

In this episode of Passport to Wealth™, Arielle Tucker, CFP®, EA, interviews Brandon Mitchener, Executive Director of Tax Fairness for Americans Abroad, to unpack the urgent fight for residence-based taxation. Brandon shares his personal story of living more than 35 years in Europe while still being subject to citizenship-based taxation (CBT) a system that forces millions of Americans abroad to file and pay U.S. taxes despite earning no U.S. income. Together, they explore the financial discrimin...

In this episode of Passport to Wealth™, Arielle Tucker, CFP®, EA sits down with Bethany Stevens, founder of Your Sign to Siesta, to discuss how burnout, big life changes, and a desire for deeper alignment can spark a life abroad. Bethany opens up about leaving the U.S. to escape the hustle and have more time for what really matters. She explains why she chose Spain as her new home, and how her experience inspired her to launch a platform dedicated to helping other Americans reimagine rest and r...

In this episode of Passport to Wealth™, Arielle Tucker, CFP®, EA sits down with Céline Flores-Tavukcuoglu, founder and CEO of Céline Concierge, a bespoke luxury concierge service based in Paris. Originally from Texas, Céline shares how a one-way ticket to France turned into a 12-year journey building a thriving business and life in the City of Light. Céline walks us through her transition from film production to entrepreneurship, the realities of French bureaucracy, and the visa challenges many...

In this episode of Passport to Wealth™, Arielle Tucker, CFP®, EA sits down with Nicolás Castillo, CPA, founder of Rook International CPAs and Advisors, to demystify the tax complexities U.S. expats face abroad. From setting up a business in Spain to navigating Social Security agreements and international tax filings, Nicolás shares practical advice for digital nomads, remote workers, and entrepreneurs building global lives. U.S. expat taxation is notoriously complicated, but Nicolás breaks down...

In this episode of Passport to Wealth™, host Arielle Tucker, CFP®, EA, welcomes Bethany Quinn, founder of GTFO Tours, for a candid conversation about relocation, reinvention, and what’s driving more Americans especially women and LGBTQ+ folks to seriously consider life abroad. Bethany shares how her own political and professional burnout in the U.S. led her to make a bold leap to the Netherlands, where she now helps others navigate their own exits. What started as a personal move turned into a ...

In this episode of Passport to Wealth™, Arielle Tucker, CFP®, EA sits down with Matthew Hitchcock, CPA and founder of Hitchcock & Partner GmbH, to demystify one of the most complex and misunderstood parts of expat taxes: Passive Foreign Investment Companies (PFICs). Whether you're investing in a foreign mutual fund or unknowingly triggering PFIC rules through a local retirement account, Matthew breaks down exactly how PFICs work, why they exist, and the real risks of getting it wrong, including...

What would make an American academic sell everything and move across the world for a new career? In this episode of Passport to Wealth™, Arielle Tucker, CFP®, EA sits down with Dr. Jonah Otto, Assistant Professor at the University of Augsburg, to unpack what’s driving more U.S. scholars to consider international academic careers particularly in Germany. Jonah shares his personal journey from Indiana to Europe, where a partnership between universities turned into a fully funded PhD opportunity, ...

In this episode of Passport to Wealth™, Vivian Najib, founder of FTB Home and creator of The Expat Diaries newsletter, sits down with us to explore what it really takes to build a life you love in a new country. Vivian’s journey began with a one-way ticket to Thailand and unfolded into a 9-year global adventure through Cambodia, Vietnam, and long-term house-sitting across Europe before finally landing in Portugal. She shares what it was like to navigate culture shock, secure legal residency, an...

Welcome back to Passport To Wealth! I'm Arielle Tucker CFP®, EA, and today’s episode is a short but meaningful send-off to our very first season. When Savannah and I launched this podcast, our mission was clear: to inform, empower, and support U.S. expats navigating life and money abroad.From cross-border taxes and cultural transitions to entrepreneurship and investing overseas, Season 1 covered a wide range of real-life topics with stories from around the globe. I’m so grateful to Savannah for...

In this episode, we are joined by Emily Haines, CPA, and founder of Xpatax Solutions. Emily is an expert in U.S. taxation for expats, with years of experience helping individuals navigate the complexities of cross-border tax compliance. She specializes in making tax planning more accessible and stress-free, especially for Americans living in or connected to Germany. We dive into Emily’s personal journey, from how she ended up in Germany to how she fell in love with the country and eventually bu...

In this episode we welcome Mickelle Weber, an angel investor, storyteller, serial entrepreneur, and founder. She is the host of the House of Peregrine podcast, where she explores the power of storytelling and shares insights from global leaders. Originally from the U.S. and now based in the Netherlands, Mickelle offers a unique perspective on what it means to be a global digital native. Mickelle shares the story of how she landed in the Netherlands and emphasizes the importance of building inte...

In this episode, we’re joined by Peter Bloemsma, founder of Swiss Advisory Services. With over 20 years of experience helping clients navigate relocation and real estate transactions, Peter is a trusted expert in purchasing property in Switzerland. We dive into the process of buying a holiday home in Switzerland and what U.S. citizens need to know before taking the plunge. From Swiss legal restrictions for non-residents to the unique advantages of securing a Swiss mortgage, Peter walks us throu...

In this episode, we welcome Flavia Cornejo, a multicultural travel expert, digital nomad, and founder of Latina Traveler, a platform created to inspire Latinas to explore the world with confidence and curiosity. Flavia shares her personal travel adventures, practical tips, and powerful insights from her journey. She talks about her evolution from expat to travel blogger and travel guide, and how she’s cultivated a strong community through shared travel experiences. Flavia also opens up about ho...

In this episode, we sit down with Jordan Vlastuin, Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and founder of Make the Memory Financial Planning. Jordan’s firm focuses on helping people use their finances to maximize life experiences. Jordan shares his journey of moving abroad, offers a brief overview of financial planning considerations for military families, and talks about adapting to cultural differences between countries. He also discusses the transition from military contracting to living abroad a...

In this episode, we’re joined by Chad Hatalla, a U.S. tax expert who specializes in financial planning and tax strategies for both inpats and expats. With extensive experience guiding U.S. and non-U.S. citizens through the complexities of cross-border taxation and Social Security, Chad helps clients stay compliant while maximizing tax efficiency. We dive into the recent repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision and what it means for Americans living abroad. Chad breaks down who stands to ben...

In this episode, we are joined by Emily Haines, CPA and founder of Xpatax Solutions. Emily is an expert in U.S. taxation for expats, with years of experience helping individuals navigate the complexities of cross-border tax compliance. She specializes in making tax planning more accessible and stress-free, especially for Americans living in or connected to Germany. We dive into the key 2024 tax updates that could impact your filing this year. While most of the changes were relatively minor, adj...

In this episode of the Escaping the US series, we guide you through settling into a new country and making it feel like home. From setting up internet and utilities to registering with local authorities, opening a bank account, and navigating transportation, we cover everything you need to make your transition smooth. We also dive into key topics like bringing medications, finding healthcare, and building a community so you can feel at home faster. Whether you’re a first-time expat or a season...

In this episode, we chat with Katrina Nacci, a cross-border CPA and US expat, who shares her journey of moving overseas, navigating work sponsorship, and ultimately founding her own international accounting firm. We dive into her experiences navigating immigration in different countries, career changes, building a business as an expat, and the lessons she learned along the way. As the founder of KN Tax, she offers valuable insights into US expat taxes, the realities of cross-border careers, the...

In this episode, we break down what the WEP repeal means, who is affected, and how it could change your retirement planning and Social Security payments. This repeal could have a significant impact on expats who receive foreign pensions and were previously subject to reduced benefits. We discuss how this shift impacts Americans abroad, key considerations for maximizing benefits, and what expats should do next to ensure financial security. If you’re a US citizen living overseas, this update coul...

In this episode we chat with Nathalie Goldstein co-founder of MyExpatTaxes about her journey to Europe and entrepreneurship. We discuss how she made the move abroad, transferred within her company to a foreign office, navigated language and cultural differences, built a family, and launched a globally recognized firm. Nathalie Goldstein, founder and CEO of MyExpatTaxes, is revolutionizing tax services for US expats. Originally from California, Nathalie moved to Austria where she built a success...

In this episode, we chat with Sasha Young da Silva, an American tax and estate planning attorney based in Portugal. Sasha shares the journey that led her to Portugal, the inspiration behind her move, and the unique benefits of holding multiple passports. We explore her experience adjusting to life abroad, navigating the cultural and identity shifts that come with learning a new language, and raising a child with a multicultural background. Sasha offers insightful perspectives on third-culture k...

In this episode, we dive into practical tips and strategies for setting meaningful financial goals tailored to your unique expat journey. We break it down into three essential steps: reflecting on what matters most to you, setting clear and specific goals, and understanding your current financial landscape. Building on insights from our previous episode on SMART goals, we discuss how to prioritize immediate goals, explore budgeting apps to help you stay on track, and share methods to hold yours...

In this episode, we dive into the power of setting SMART goals, those that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. We explore why these types of goals are especially important for expats navigating new environments and life changes. You’ll hear examples of SMART goals tailored to expats, tips for staying on track, and a peek into some of our own personal goals. Whether you’re planning for career growth, personal development, or settling into your new life abroad, this e...

In this episode, we sit down with Shannon Weinstein, a fractional CFO for business owners looking to scale or sell their business. She hosts the top 1% podcast, Keep What You Earn, where her real talk and relatable examples make financial information a source of inspiration, not intimidation. She is a financial literacy advocate, volunteer, donor, investor and a sought-after speaker for masterminds and business communities. Shannon shares the thought process behind her decision to take the leap...