The Birth of Truly Expat: A Year in Reflection

Paula: [00:00:00] Hello and welcome to Truly Expat Podcast. I'm Paula and joining me is my cohost, Rachel. 

Rachel: Hey everyone, we're thrilled to have you with us.

Paula: Today we're excited to take you on a journey into why we started this podcast and what it's all about. We both know that living as an expat can be thrilling, challenging, and sometimes downright baffling. So we wanted to create a space where we can talk about the ups, downs, and everything in between.

Rachel: Exactly. Whether you're a seasoned expat or just thinking about making that big move, We're here to share the stories, tips and insights to make the experience as fulfilling as possible. 

Paula: So get cosy, let's dive deep into what it means to live abroad. And embrace the expat lifestyle. Let's get started. Okay.

Rachel: So, can you remember what the initial, spark or inspiration behind starting Truly Expat podcast was? 

Paula: Absolutely. So, um, Rachel and I first of all [00:01:00] met, and I think we've spoken about this before, but we met at, um, an event, an ANZA event. We ended up doing a tour and then, and tasting some wine. We knew then we would bond.

Paula: We became friends.

Paula: So then Rachel and I had known each other for a little bit and she came up with the idea and said, you know what, would you like, so, so I mean Rachel had been writing for a little bit and, and I can, she can tell you her side of the story, but for me it was she came to me and said, I've got an idea, let's do a podcast.

Paula: And I thought about it and I was like, you know what, it's a really good idea.

Paula: good idea.

Paula: So, so tell me how you, what your spark or how you came up with the idea. 

Rachel: Well, um, I just finished a degree in digital marketing. Um, that was my first thing when I got here, I was like, what can I do? And it was the end of COVID. Um, the airline industry was out of commission.

Rachel: So, uh, [00:02:00] so I decided to study and I thought, well, that's the missing link. About link and in my career is actually the digital marketing part of things And so I sort of went in it with an open mind I had no idea that that I would actually be a digital marketer I just thought I would go back to sales and and perhaps do that.

Rachel: And then obviously we met that was fantastic and I started writing for you for your blog Doing things, which was heaps of fun because it gave me some direction in my studies. And then I learned so much off you. It was really fantastic. But I was like, there must be another way. And, uh, and at the time it still happens now that I am an avid listener of podcasts.

Rachel: And I was like, how easy is it to like put a podcast together? And you said as well, you were like, I've been thinking about a podcast too. So we sort of joined forces and we ended up with this. Yeah, it's been a, it's been a rodeo, right?

Paula: It's been a very interesting ride. Yeah, for [00:03:00] sure. I guess, um, which leads us to why our podcast is a little bit different, and I guess what's the main purpose of this podcast?

Paula: Because in the beginning, I guess, is very different. to what we thought it was going to be to what it is now. Yeah, for sure. And so, I guess what we want to do It was an evolution, wasn't it? Well, it is, and I think now we're at a stage where it's like, Okay, I get this. I know what path this podcast is on, and I know where we've come from.

Paula: Um, and I guess for me, I wanted to explain to people, What is this? Why are we different? Because we are, and I say it many times, and when a guest comes on, I always tell them, We are a little bit different. And I guess I'd like to explain why we're a little bit different to most podcasts that do what we're doing.

Rachel: Yeah. Well, I think the terms of, originally we wanted to just have some information about, um, becoming an [00:04:00] expat in Singapore. So we started off with, um, you know, starting a business as a, dependent pass holder. And so from then on, it became, it was, it started off very, very niche and it's still quite niche, but there are so many topics to cover in Singapore.

Rachel: It's such a diverse landscape that we felt like we couldn't leave any of it out. Yeah. So it's turned into sort of like a magazine podcast

Rachel: Yeah.

Rachel: with all of the like different, um, different topics that we have that are really diverse from setting up your own company to getting a job, to handling finances, to history, um, of Singapore.

Rachel: We have lovely authors on, we have, um, just some locals talking about hawker, hawker markets, um, celebrating the different festivals. It's just really varied [00:05:00] and also health, uh, women's health, children's health, family health. Like it, it just, there's so much to talk about. Um, yeah, don't you think? 

Paula: Yeah. And I think we, we then started to categorize each of these topics.

Paula: So at first it was like, well, just putting everything out. And then we've realized that there are certain topics that these, these come under and that is kind of where we're heading now. Right. A year on, cause it's been a year, just over a year. Happy birthday to us. Yeah. And so. The series that we have are things, do you want, you can talk Rach, what are the topics that we talk about?

Rachel: We have the Truly Expat Toolkit, which is an overview of like, the things that you need, that you should be aware of while you're here. So whether it's starting a company, dealing with finances, um, writing a will, um, doing

Rachel: you know.

Paula: [00:06:00] Insurance, and we talked about what kind of visas you need so that it might be someone who hasn't even come in yet.

Rachel: Yeah, exactly. Um, and then we have expat health, which is, women's health, you know, mental health problems. Um, just coping with, you know, Being here, um, as an expat and then having to majorly change your life. Um, and then we talk about 

Paula: Families. Yeah. So we have a topic of families. So we realize that, um, you know, I mean, everyone has different situations.

Paula: And, and families could be anything from aging parents overseas to, um, children that need to go to boarding school. So families can look like two people, five people. So we wanted to kind of cover that, those subjects as well. 

Rachel: And finding your tribe as well. Finding the people that are your new family in this, on this island.

Rachel: Um, and it's probably one of the most important things, right? To, to your happiness and your survival, is having a [00:07:00] good tribe around you for support. 

Paula: Yeah. And just trying to figure out where to find them, right? Whether or not you are a seasoned expat and you've arrived here and then you need help. Or whether or not you are a newbie, never been an expat before.

Paula: Or you may find that your friends have unfortunately, it's such a transit wor lifestyle as an expat that they've moved on and hav Now how do you find someone after 5 your friends have gone? 

Rachel: Yeah, back to the interview stage. 

Paula: Yeah, exactly, yeah. 

Rachel: And then we have volunteering. so we noticed that a lot of our friends love to volunteer and make this time.

Rachel: Really, mean something and fulfilling and actually getting past the surface level of being an expat. Actually immersing yourself into, like, Singaporean lives and helping them out or even, you know, helping out with pets and things like that. Um, and then, also, last but not [00:08:00] least, um, 

Paula: Celebrating Singapore.

Rachel: Yeah. So all the wonderful things that happen here, the festivals, um, as I mentioned earlier, we have these great authors that write about grass roots in Singapore before it became this sparkling metropolis, you know, um, so. As well as the public holidays and the celebrations, cultural celebrations they have as well.

Rachel: For sure, 

Paula: they're the topics that we have at the moment. Um, it may expand. We just, we don't know. This is kind of something that's been evolving. It's been, and you know, I think for us is that, an expat, there are so many different types of expats. You may be working, you may want to find work.

Paula: You may be a trailing, oh I hate the word trailing spouse, but you may be a, an accompanying, um, partner. 

Rachel: In a support role. 

Paula: In a support role, or you, there's, there's just so many, so we wanted, so we're now trying to,

Paula: Come up.

Paula: Well, we're not coming up. People coming to us with subjects that they'd like to [00:09:00] hear about.

Paula: And I guess that leads me to why we are so different. 

Rachel: Yeah. We are a show that produces weekly. We have an episode every week, which is full on. Um, but we really love it. Uh, we are quite different in the fact that how we host our guests. We. We do do it remotely sometimes, um, but we actually prefer that if people come around and have a cup of tea with us and just have a chat, um, rather than sort of like a question and answer thing.

Rachel: Um, and we talk about them and their lifestyle and they tell the stories about their, uh, what's happened in their life. And that's really fascinating.

Paula: Cause I think for us, we've realized that there's lots of great podcasts out there that are that Q and I and that's, that's That's fantastic. But for us, we want to grab a cup of tea and have a chat with these people because the interesting people we've met along the way makes it that special and just getting to know them.

Paula: [00:10:00] And I think that's what the difference is, is that we get to know these guests and what their lives are and their experience and what they have to offer and might be an expert in a particular subject that can really help. I think you can open up a little bit more when you're sitting down and chatting to someone.

Paula: I think it's just easier for us. Yeah, for sure. Because we do like a chat. Yeah, yeah, exactly.

Paula: The other thing I wanted to mention is that we, generally speaking, we do, we're quite honoured that quite a few people will come to us, um, and, and give us an idea. and approach us and, and, and that's fantastic.

Paula: But generally speaking, we do like to ask you, the person listening to this and ask you, what do you want to hear about Singapore? What kind of expert advice do you need? And then we go off and find these experts for you. It's as much as art. Sometimes I would just like to be a podcast all about me and what I like.

Paula: We are here to help you. [00:11:00] And that's why we have such a diverse range of people that come on. Um, and I think that makes us a little bit different to a lot of other people because we are not chasing what we think people need. You're telling us and you're direct, you're actually directing our podcast for us.

Rachel: What do you think people take away from this podcast?

Paula: I hope they take away some answers to some questions that they've got. I hope they take away a little bit of inspiration to go out and do whatever it is that they wanted to do, but they couldn't do before they start listening to this podcast.

Paula: I hope they take away a story or two about some, some, a person's very interesting life that they may not have known about Singapore if they weren't listening. And I hope that they can then, you know, I guess give the gift of giving by, by sending off or sending [00:12:00] people the link to this podcast who might be new and might have some questions.

Paula: So that's kind of, do you, how do you feel? What do you want people to, yeah, 

Rachel: I do want, I want people to feel like, um, there is a strong sense of community.

Rachel: Singapore.

Rachel: And it's not always about the expats. It's also definitely about the journey in Singapore and, and who you meet and, and how many, you know, different people, um, 

Paula: You meet along the way, right?

Paula: We don't want you to be out there alone. And we'd like you to be part of this community who is there to help you and support you in taking the first step or, you know, Making a decision or going out and getting a job, whatever it might be. We're here to tell you that you're not alone. You know, we've all been there where we have been alone, especially when you first moved somewhere.

Paula: Yeah, for sure. And it's daunting. It is. It's so scary. And I think people don't realize, [00:13:00] even, even, you know, even if you've traveled or moved quite a few times, each adventure is scary. Yeah, for sure. And so this, I guess, the podcast I'm hoping is that you This makes it a little bit easier, the journey here in Singapore.

Rachel: Yeah, I totally agree. Absolutely.

Paula: Thank you to everybody as well for a whole year because we wouldn't keep going unless we had people listening to it because it would have been a bit silly if we just started talking to ourselves.

Paula: But yeah, we've come here to say thank you. It's um, a year's journey. Happy birthday to us. And we wanted to explain the, you know, the evolution of what truly expat podcast is. And we hope that you're enjoying it. So please, Do not forget to review this because we forget to say this all the time But if you review this if you like out and follow us and review us we're able to produce more Exactly.

Paula: We can we can get our [00:14:00] name out there and and people I mean at the end of the day We're only doing this if we get the the listening to the ship out there. So, thank you. Thank you

Paula: bye