Neither myself or today's guests are the first Black creatives that saw Paris as a sort of North Star. But what does that say about New York. Are New York prices hindering a thriving creative class? Families? Now, that's a bleak thought. Ryan Norville had a quarter life crisis that lead her on a path to learning French and eventually she, her husband and two kids moved to Paris! Ryan's determination is evident in her rising career and artistry. She's just as adept at bringing visions to life for her floral art clients as she is for herself. From learning the language to visa, even enrolling her kids in school. Ryan's telling us about her path to expatdom in Paris. And we even get into those viral TikToks.

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You can find me living my expat life here on Instagram @nneya

And Ryan in Paris @cinnamonryan

Check out Ryan's beautiful artistry on Instagram @oatcinnamon

and Tiktok @ryannorville_

And check out my essay on being Black American in Paris on 'N A Perfect World

Una persona influyente... that perfectly describes today's guest Courtney Mccolgan an absolutely force in the tech entrepreneur world, currently blazing new trails in Latin America as the founder and CEO of Runa. Today we're chatting with this California girl, and Fulbright scholar about her path from California to China then Peru (with love) to CDMX. She's also raising a beautiful global family... and all of this with impeccable style. Can't think of a more fitting return from maternity leave!

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You can find me living my expat life on Instagram @nneya (I'll also share a few shots of my trip to Lima!)

and keep up with Courtney's latest ventures on LinkedIn

For more on my travels to Peru during Courtney and Daniel's wedding, check out 'N A Perfect World and be sure to read my first profile on my friend Courtney from 2017.

"You don't get anywhere by being comfortable." That could be one of the life mottos of today's guest, owner and executive chairman of Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort Grenada, Barry Collymore. From his time studying abroad to building community and mentorship, Barry is a true testament to when you love what you do, it comes naturally.  And what he loves is to grow, learn and evolve -- especially through the lens of travel. Barry is an advocate of investing in the people of the West Indies, combatting climate change and makes such a big impact from his little slice of paradise. Join Barry Collymore and I as we discussing building home, community and a life abroad. 

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You can find me living my expat life on Instagram @nneya

And Barry Collymore, man about the West Indies @barrycolly

Follow Mount Cinnamon Grenada on Instagram: @mountcinnamongrenada

And Twitter 

And to book your next stay at Mount Cinnamon Grenada (but don't take my spot!).

"There’s no going back in your identity, once you’ve moved, and once you have children, your identity does shift." Charmaine Wilkerson, author of Black Cake, one of Obama's favorite books of 2022 and coming soon to your screen adapted by Harpo productions!

In 2021, Random House reached out to me about the upcoming novel, Black Cake. Upon reading it, I immediate connected to this story set between the Caribbean, UK and California, writing by a West Indian American author, who lived in Rome. I had to chat with her. In February of 2022, Charmaine Wilkerson and I did an IG Live. This interview stayed in my memory bank and is certainly one of the building blocks of Building Home. We go into the idea of finding home and building home during my time in the UK, finding that slice of the Caribbean and looking for it in Italy. Charmaine chats with us about similarities and finding home in different cultures between Italy and the Caribbean in the way people gather, the matriarchy and so much more. Brilliant and insightful, Charmaine leaves us thinking "Where do we belong in the world?"

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You can find me living my expat life on Instagram @nneya

Follow Charmaine on Instagram: @charmspen1

And Twitter @charmspen1 

And to buy Black Cake check out your local bookstore and if not... there's always Amazon.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

BBC Windrush Generation: Who are they and why are they facing problems?

As a woman in the very gendered sports world, I’ve seen Eden thrive. She’s phenom and there’s not too many Black women, particularly Black Italian women in these decision making offices, on either side of the Atlantic. And it’s wild how she got into the field too… it was a chance bus encounter that led to her career path! It was so fun to dive in with Eden about her passion for sports culture and how that pushes her family’s traditional boundaries.  True italian style, she brings up the superior coffee! And we talk about something controversial – Black Americans taking up space — maybe even gentrification? – in spaces in Europe and Africa. You're not going to want to miss this episode!

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You can find me living my expat life on Instagram @nneya

As vibrant and multicultural as my community is around the globe, what I love about NYC is it's the same here. From childhood, I was drawn to people from other countries and their reason and experiences being in the states. NYC is not the easiest place to make it! Whether you're from Chattanooga or Verona. But the US and NYC has a love affair with Italians. From the Italian immigrant stories on Ellis Island, to Italian expat now that have heavily influenced American food, fashion, pop culture, Italians coming to the US are OG proponents of the American dream! Few better exemplify this than today's guest, Andrea Denver. A bonified tv star on both sides of the Atlantic, a successful business man and just a great guy, it seems Andrea has "made it." And he's definitely charmed all of us along the way. We’re talking airlines, his love of the US, the surprising US city that Andrea has a strong affinity for. We also talk behind the scenes of building a brand between the US and Italy. Tips for maintaining a relationship when you live between two places or travel a lot -- you know, typical chit chat between two expays!

And you’re going to want to open your notes app for Andrea’s tips for beautiful places to visit in Italy.

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You can find me living my expat life on Instagram @nneya

And Andrea @andreadenver Also, catch him on Bravo's Winter House and Summer House! Andrea is the co-founder and CMO of Son of Wind and a partner at Acosta Tequila. BOOKED AND BUSY!

The New York Times How Italians Became 'White'

What if I told you that American Dream with the white picket fence isn't even what the creator of the term intended? Or that his intention of the American Dream was closer to Martin Luther King Jr's idea of American success than the Horatio Alger "rags to riches story?" As third-culture kids, my cousin and I get into the idea of the American Dream and what it means to us, overseas. We also discuss topics like “Is anti-hustler culture, anti Jamaican?” His favorite part about living in Tblisi Georgia and.  And listen through, he drops the most incredible gem for all of us out there on the road to enjoy it that much more.

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You can find me living my expat life on Instagram @nneya

Find Claude through his website: http://www.claudegrant.design/

Resources mentioned in the episode:

Do You Guys with Nneya + Michele Italians + Jamaicans

Merriam Webster What Is a 'Third-Culture Kid'?

Buzzfeed 31 Signs You're a Third Culture Kid

George W. Bush Institute A Brief History of the American Dream

We’ve all been there, dreams of moving abroad, starting anew. Leaving NYC and restoring a french chateaux, the American dream still pulls people around the world. My grandparents came from Jamaica for the American dream and I ended up moving to Italy for an American Leisure dream. But it’s not as easy – or as glamorous – as it seems. On Building Home: An Expat Podcast with me, Nneya Richards I will talk to friends, expats, immigrants about making a home in a new country and all that entails– from bureaucracy, creating a family, beautiful cultural exploration, sociopolitical issues and so much more. Welcome home, I hope you'll stay a while.

In this episode of Building Home, host Nneya Richards speaks with Bettina Prentice, a renowned curator and cultural strategist, about her journey from New York to London, the art of hosting salons, and the importance of community in the contemporary art world. They discuss the role of artists in society, the significance of spirituality in art, and the cultural differences between New York and London. Bettina shares her experiences with the Artemis Council and her vision for supporting emerging artists, while also reflecting on what home means to her.

00:00 Living in Historical Splendor

01:52 Curating Conversations and Salons

04:41 Creating Immersive Experiences

07:12 Art and Cultural Shifts

12:44 The Role of Artists in Society

18:03 Life in London: A Cultural Transition

23:43 Embracing Community and Green Spaces

39:40 The Beauty of Train Travel and Slow Living

Follow Bettina's work and her salons on @Prentice_Cultural.

See more of Saaya Woolfalk's work: https://www.sayawoolfalk.com/

You can follow me living my expat life on @nneya

Pardon the sound issues we experienced towards the end of this episode.

Enjoyed Emily in Paris? Then trust me, you're going to love the whimsical, colorful, authentic mosaic that is Sutanya in Paris! In this engaging conversation, Nneya Richards and Sutanya Dacres explore the multifaceted experiences of Americans living in Paris. Cultural diversity in Paris enriches the expat experience. They discuss the challenges of finding suitable hair care, the cultural diversity of the city, and the journey of self-discovery through cooking. Sutanya shares her transition from a marketing career to becoming a writer and cook, while also reflecting on the complexities of Black identity in Europe. The conversation touches on the importance of community, the impact of media representation, and the nuances of dating in a new culture. Ultimately, they celebrate resilience and the joy of living authentically as Black women abroad. Finding a sense of home abroad can take time and reflection and Sutanya is navigating that with beauty and grace.

Follow Sutanya on Instagram@dinnerfor.one and her websiteSutanya Dacres.

You can find me living my expat life here on Instagram @nneya

00:00 Navigating Black Hair Culture Abroad

05:25 The Complexity of Black Identity in France

08:20 The Experience of Being a Black American in Europe

11:11 Culinary Journey: From Writer to Chef

13:47 Life in Montmartre: A Personal Connection

16:33 Entrepreneurship in France: Challenges and Opportunities

19:15 Cultural Differences in Business and Lifestyle

22:08 Finding Community and Belonging in Paris

24:48 The Impact of Personal Experiences on Identity

27:24 Reinventing Life After Divorce

30:19 The Journey of Self-Discovery in a Foreign Land

32:58 The Power of Female Friendships

36:01 Cultural Differences in Friendships

39:09 The American Spirit Abroad

40:27 Critique of 'Emily in Paris'

43:48 Navigating Dating in a New Culture

47:04 Fashion Evolution in Paris

52:41 Celebrating Black Womanhood and Resilience

In this conversation, Nneya anddear friend Caterina Monda explore the cultural nuances of being an American in Italy including Thanksgiving, the experience of living in Milan, and the challenges of navigating a multicultural identity. They discuss the design scene in Milan, the pride Italians have in their heritage, and the complexities of tourism and preservation in Italy. The dialogue highlights the contrasts between American and Italian cultures, particularly in terms of diversity and community. In this engaging conversation, Caterina Monda and Nneya Richards explore the cultural differences in entrepreneurship between the US and Italy, the unique experience of hosting a Jamaican dinner in Milan, and the challenges of philanthropy in a different cultural context. They discuss the importance of creating safe spaces for women, navigating their identities as foreign women in Italy, and their aspirations for future business growth. The conversation culminates in a reflection on the distinctions between being an expat and an immigrant, emphasizing the contributions immigrants make to their new homes.

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00:00 Thanksgiving in Italy: A Cultural Blend

02:58 Life in Milan: A New Home

05:55 The Design Scene in Milan

09:00 Cultural Identity and Growing Up Multicultural

11:55 Navigating Diversity in Italy

15:01 Challenges of Living in Milan

17:59 Tourism and Preservation in Italy

30:43 Cultural Perspectives on Entrepreneurship

32:06 The Jamaican Dinner Experience

35:24 Philanthropy and Community Engagement

39:30 Creating Safe Spaces for Women

45:23 Navigating Identity as Foreign Women

50:34 Future Aspirations and Business Growth

52:20 Expat vs. Immigrant: A Personal Reflection

You can find me living my expat life here on Instagram @nneya

And Caterina @caterina_monda1

and Metis PR

This episode is all about celebrating the magic of belonging to two places and building community in a new home. 

Join Nneya and her friend Stacey Chia as they dive into the joys and challenges of making friends in their thirties, cultural connections, their passion for food, and the spontaneous creation of the 'Breakfast Club. This episode is a love letter to both New York and Singapore. It’s a celebration of friendship, identity, and the beautiful blend of two worlds that will leave you feeling inspired to create your own sense of belonging wherever you are.

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You can find me living my expat life here on Instagram @nneya

And Stacey  @staceypamelachia

And for more travel inspiration to head to Singapore...

Nneya Singapore Articles 

The Most Powerful Woman in the Room Is You: Command an Audience and Sell Your Way to Success By Lydia Fennet 

Breakfast Club Friends

00:00 Introduction and Love for Singapore

01:49 Memorable Trip to Singapore

02:48 Making Friends in Bergamo

04:07 Meeting Stacy Chia

07:34 Stacy's Background and Expat Life

17:22 The Breakfast Club Initiative

29:04 Balancing Life Between Two Homes

29:54 Singapore's Global Recognition

31:19 Safety and Cleanliness in Singapore

34:13 Cultural and Culinary Connections

38:50 Future Aspirations and Global Experiences

42:04 The Spice of Life

49:47 Language and Cultural Identity

52:39 Final Thoughts and Friendship