The Bittersweet Life

Today we start the episode with a clip of comedy writer David Sedaris talking about his experiences as an expat, someone who, as he says, "doesn't count." This sparks a conversation about the anonymi…

On Monday we talked about the risks of missing out on important moments because we are too busy photographing them to actually live them, and in particular, we talked about society's obsession with t…

Once upon a time, we took pictures in order to remember our travels—now we travel in order to get good pictures... so we can share on social media.

At least, that's the take of opinion piece Tiffany …

The art of letter-writing is not lost! Not if you, like Katy, choose to keep it alive.

On this mini-episode, we hear from Katy's mom, who describes an wonderful keepsake from someone she wrote letter…

There's something poignant about knowing that you will never see a particular painting again, even if you don't even really like that painting.

Today, Katy shares an excerpt from a book she's reading…

Today we time-travel back to 2004 when Tiffany was a newly arrived expat in Rome. Believe it or not, those first few weeks and months were not exactly idyllic. Far from it.

Tiffany reads some excerpt…

Are you brave enough? Why is it that reading one of your old journals can be so terrifying—or often so cringe-worthy, depending on how far back it goes.

Last week we talked about the dilemma of what …

Would ever read excerpts of your personal journal live on air? That's what Katy's doing on this mini-episode. She cracks opens some of her old journals (including a diary from when she was 11) and re…

A few weeks we did an episode about downsizing, inspired by a voice message sent in by a listener. 

We both love the idea of downsizing and the topic sparked a passionate conversations, but it got u…

Every year in January, the pope baptizes a group of lucky babies—the offspring of his employees born in the previous six months—and he does it in the most famous chapel in the world, the legendary Si…

It's our first new full episode of 2023, so of course we're here to share our New Year's Resolutions with you! We also listen back to last year's resolutions and fess up on whether we managed to acco…

What happens when kids make New Year's Resolutions? Find out on today's mini-episode when we're joined by Aurelio to hear if he has set any resolutions this year—or if he even knows what resolutions …

It's that time of year again! Ready or not, it's time to listen back at our New Year's Resolutions from last year. Most people don't even consider their resolutions past January or so, but we are mas…

In honor of our Christmas week break, we bring you an episode from way, way back in time. Holidays was taped all the way back in December 2013, although it aired a few months later. Back then, the Bi…

In the spirit of Christmas, we've decided to take the week off (shocking, we know!) so in lieu of a new episode this week, we are re-airing on of our favorite original radio plays of recent years, A …

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from your friends at the Bittersweet Life! Enjoy this festive greeting from your devoted podcast hosts!

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Who says you can only excel at one thing? Lots of people it turns out.

As Katy is focusing more of her time and effort on her writing career, certain people who know her exclusively as a long-time ra…

What is it about little Italian boys that made them adore calcio (aka soccer, if you're in America), (aka football, if you're anywhere else) so much? It must be something they are born with because w…

Do you feel the need to cull your belongings, either because you’re planning a big move, moving to a smaller space, or just feel you have too much stuff?

Downsizing is something that all would-be exp…

Is writing one of the things that you are hoping to do more of in the new year? Are you a writer who feels blocked? Or, regardless of your preferred creative medium, do you feel like you're in a bit …