This is the incredible true story of Til, a Vietnamese refugee who escaped communist Vietnam with 35 other family members when she was just 11 years old.

At midnight, her father secretly loaded 36 people into the bottom of his fishing boat where they normally stored fish. After pretending to be a fisherman for 18 months to build relationships with guards, he made the ultimate decision - escape or live under communist rule forever.

What followed was 17 harrowing days at sea with storms so dangerous that her father told them they might need to tie themselves together to die as a family. But they survived, and Til's journey from that terrified 11-year-old to successful entrepreneur will completely change how you think about resilience and the American Dream.

In this episode you will discover:

- How her family planned their escape for 2 years without anyone knowing

- The moment they were pushed out of the Philippines with no fuel, oil, food or water

- Working peeling shrimp for Red Lobster contractors until her fingers bled just to pay rent

- Making her first $5,000 real estate commission that changed everything

- Building a business helping hundreds of families buy homes without credit checks

- Her transformation at 50 when she decided to stop living for others

Follow TIl:

📸 Her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/til.lowery/

🌐 Her Website: https://tillowery.com/

Follow me

📸 Instagram: @passportjane

👤 Facebook: @jane.byrd.154819

for behind-the-scenes, updates, and guest highlights!

🎧 Listen This Episode on Your Favorite Platform

https://passport-jane-podcast.captivate.fm/listen

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#immigrantstory #RealEstate #Vietnam #SuccessStory #Entrepreneur #Inspiration #AmericanDream

At 18, Nathalie became a reality TV star in Madagascar, competing against 1,000+ contestants on "Pazzapa." But fame felt like a prison. So at 19, she left everything behind and moved to France with just her suitcases.

Working multiple jobs while studying (mall sales, law firm receptionist), she continued her music career across Europe, eventually earning French citizenship and moving to London. Then love changed everything - she met Chris Dave, a Grammy-winning musician who's worked with Adele, Justin Bieber, and Ed Sheeran.

During COVID, Nathalie took the ultimate leap of faith: moving to Houston (via Turkey due to travel bans) - a city she'd never even visited. The culture shock was real, but after some postpartum struggles and a disastrous 2-week corporate job, she found her calling in international real estate.

What you'll discover:

* Growing up in Madagascar and dealing with early fame

* The challenges of being a student immigrant in France

* Working three jobs while pursuing music and studies

* Cultural differences between Europe and Texas

* Meeting and marrying a Grammy-winning musician

* Moving to Houston during the pandemic

* Overcoming imposter syndrome in real estate

* How Houston surprised her as a diverse, global city

* Building generational wealth through real estate

Follow Nathalie:

📸 Her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathaliedave_re/

🌐 Her Website: www.ndre.global

🎤 Her last show as a singer: https://youtu.be/OURaMwtzaXU

Follow me

📸 Instagram: @passportjane

👤 Facebook: @jane.byrd.154819

for behind-the-scenes, updates, and guest highlights!

🎧 Listen This Episode on Your Favorite Platform

https://passport-jane-podcast.captivate.fm/listen

(Rate & review — it helps other women find these stories!)

Subscribe for weekly episodes that will inspire you to live courageously on your own international journey!

#ExpatLife #WomenAbroad #InternationalLiving #TravelPodcast #ExpatWomen #Immigration #RealEstate #Madagascar #Houston #ExpatLife #CareerChange #MusicIndustry

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What you'll discover:

✅ How she maintained stability for her kids in the same neighborhood

✅ Starting her real estate career 2 months after having her 4th baby

✅ Becoming rookie of the year in her first year

✅ Her journey from architect in Mexico to Houston real estate

✅ Why she took the 111 km Camino de Santiago pilgrimage alone

✅ Her volunteer work as Eucharistic minister with dying patients

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Key moments from the interview:

- Born in US, raised in Monterrey, Mexico

- Moved to Texas at 25 with her husband

- Discovered Sephardic Jewish roots 12 generations back

- Her grandfather taught her to drive at age 9

- Her inability to cook launched a platform for her son to excel at cooking

Her book 'Reborn' chronicles this transformation journey.

-

📸 Follow us on

Instagram: @passportjane

Facebook: @jane.byrd.154819

for behind-the-scenes, updates, and guest highlights!

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

https://passport-jane-podcast.captivate.fm/listen

(Rate & review — it helps other women find these stories!)

Subscribe for weekly episodes that will inspire you to live courageously on your own international journey!

#expatlife #WomenAbroad #InternationalLiving #TravelPodcast #ExpatWomen #SingleMom #RealEstate #Resilience #Texas #Architecture #Entrepreneur #RenaSer #ReBorn #passportjane #passportjanebyrd #janebyrd

At 50, Carol thought her life was over. Her husband had just left her, her finances were in ruins, and she found herself alone for the first time since she was 17.

But sometimes endings become new beginnings...

Today, Carol is living her best life in Mérida, Mexico. She runs her own pet-sitting business, gets emergency medical care for $90 (instead of thousands), takes $4 Uber comfort rides, and has discovered an incredible international community.

Her story proves it's never too late to start over.

🌟 Key Points from This Story:

- How she discovered Mérida by accident

- The day everything collapsed financially

- Her strategy for rebuilding her life from zero

- Why the Mexican healthcare system amazed her

- The unexpected business opportunities she found

📸 Follow us on

Instagram: @passportjane

Facebook: @jane.byrd.154819

for behind-the-scenes, updates, and guest highlights!

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

https://passport-jane-podcast.captivate.fm/listen

(Rate & review — it helps other women find these stories!)

Subscribe for weekly episodes that will inspire you to live courageously on your own international journey!

#ExpatLife #WomenAbroad #InternationalLiving #TravelPodcast #ExpatWomen #mexico

🌍 Xio incredible journey:

- 30-year career in luxury hotel management (Hilton, Marriott, Intercontinental)

- Fluent in several languages

- Moved to Merida, Mexico and built custom dream home in 6 months

- Now runs successful real estate business helping expats

🏠 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

✓ Why Merida beats European cities for expat living

✓ Real costs of building custom homes in Mexico

✓ Why foreigners need different buying strategies

✓ The cultural benefits Americans often miss

Xio proves that reinventing yourself internationally isn't just possible - it can lead to your most fulfilling chapter yet. Whether you're considering Mexico or just love international lifestyle stories, this conversation offers real insights from someone who's mastered the art of global living.

📞 CONNECT WITH Xio:

Website: discovermexicohomes.com

📸 Follow us on

Instagram: @passportjane

Facebook: @jane.byrd.154819

for behind-the-scenes, updates, and guest highlights!

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

https://passport-jane-podcast.captivate.fm/listen

(Rate & review — it helps other women find these stories!)

Subscribe for weekly episodes that will inspire you to live courageously on your own international journey!

#expatlife #womenabroad #internationalliving #travelpodcast #expatwomen #mexico

00:00 - Introduction

01:53 - Guest Introduction and Background

04:00 - Xio's Early Life and Education

08:19 - Moving to Merida

10:07 - Building a House in Merida

15:16 - Exploring Downtown Merida

18:27 - Exploring Haciendas and Cenotes

23:47 - Making Friends in Merida

26:10 - Exploring the Food Scene

29:06 - Starting a Real Estate Business in Merida

34:37 - Xio's Artistic Side

In this episode of Passport Jane, I sit down with Carrie, an American photographer who's been living in Paris for almost 20 years. We share the extraordinary story of how we met and dive deep into the evolution of women through different life phases.

✨ What we discuss:

- Women's evolution: From reproductive years to financial stability to spiritual fulfillment

- Our surreal airplane meeting and discovering our family connections

- Life journeys: San Francisco, Paris, love, and reinvention

- Motherhood, career, and finding balance

- Reinventing yourself after 40 and embracing the unknown

- Travel, family traditions, and what's next in life

🎙️ Key Moments:

The incredible Texas connection - families living 15 miles apart

Carrie's "I'm never leaving" moment landing in Paris

Meeting Julian and the decision to stay for love

The challenges of forced reinvention vs. organic evolution

Why we both feel better than ever entering this new chapter

💫 Guest: Carrie Callaway

American photographer, Paris resident, mother of three, and fellow Texas connection

📸 Follow us on

Instagram: @passportjane

Facebook: @jane.byrd.154819

for behind-the-scenes, updates, and guest highlights!

🎧 If you want the full video interview it's just here

https://www.youtube.com/@passportjanepodcast

(Rate & review — it helps other women find these stories!)

This episode is SO special because it features my dear friend Nathalie Marsan - and you're going to absolutely love our story of how we met. Picture this, I’m in the south of France expecting to meet a friend when I get a message that she unable to meet and gave me the number of her friend in the South of France... Nathalie.

But here’s the wild part, we ended up getting into club 55 yes, the club 55 without a reservation on my 50th birthday, talking directly to the owner and creating one of the most treasured memories.

Nathalie is a French-Canadian interior designer who studied at KLC School of Design in London and now splits her time between Paris and Montreal. She specializes in creating luxurious small spaces and has built an incredible real estate investment portfolio with her partner.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to design luxury in tiny Parisian apartments
• The 2025 design trends that matter: mocha tones, natural materials, and unexpected Memphis style pops
• Why light direction can make or break your Paris apartment hunt
• The economics of Paris real estate investing (spoiler alert: timing is everything)
• Where to find the best flea markets and design inspiration in Paris
• The hidden gem spa experience at La Mosquée de Paris that you NEED to try

This conversation reminds me why I started this podcast - to share stories of women living authentically, taking risks, and creating beautiful lives abroad. Nathalie's journey from HR to interior design, her move to Paris with young children, and her courage to completely reinvent herself is pure inspiration.

🛋️ Resources & Mentions

• Maison de Vacances
• Idaho Editions
• Margaux Keller
• Nate Berkus
• Maison Aurelys

In this first episode of The Passport Jane Podcast, Vivian reveals how her restlessness became a passport to purpose. We talk about the thrills and dangers of foreign correspondence, raising a son on global assignments, and living boldly as a woman abroad. Whether you dream of expat life, crave courage, or want to thrive internationally, Vivian’s story will inspire you to leap.

🌍 Did this story move you? Tag @PassportJanePodcast and share your own boldest adventure!

📸 Follow us on

Instagram: @passportjane

Facebook: @janebyrdrealestate

for behind-the-scenes, updates, and guest highlights!

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

https://feeds.captivate.fm/passport-jane-podcast/

(Rate & review — it helps other women find these stories!)

💌 New inspiring episodes every Sunday. Hit “Follow” to never miss a journey.