International Career Couples

Podcast host, Kate Galloway is joined by her husband to talk about their personal and professional experiences as expats. In this episode we discuss our second move, which was from Scotland to Dubai, UAE. We share that the move happened due to industry uncertainty and the need for job security. We talk about how our networks have been important for our international moves. We talk about uncertainty that surrounded us and uncertainty that we created.

In this episode your host Kate speaks with Edita Petojevic about the foundations of a relationship and how they are so important to the success of expat life. Edita introduces her unique approach to "the Basketball Court' and how this can be a useful aide and visual for couples to understand each other's needs. Edita and Kate discuss the foundation, taking individual responsibility, getting your voice heard and how to make space for your partner. Edita shares tips for expat couples and explains how prevention is key. Listening to this episode you will also hear about how people decide that seeking professional support is right for them and what they might experience on that journey. About our guest: Psychologist & Psychotherapist with 15 years of clinical experience. Edita guides individuals, couples & groups through the process of psychotherapy by identifying the cause of the problem, by resolving and accepting difficult thoughts and feelings. The main goal is to guide individuals back to their authentic self and to support them in regaining a sense of meaning & authenticity in their close relationships. Edita strongly believes that; 1: All healthy and longlasting relationships are based on congruence and empathy. 2: All human beings have an inner potential to self-actualize. Edita has lived in seven countries and has had the chance to meet and work with various people from all over the world. These experiences and interactions with different cultures have broadened her views and helps her to open up for a better and deeper understanding of life. She offers a therapeutic path in three different languages, from an empathic and greater cultural understanding, which gives her the opportunity to reach a vast amount of people. Edita is trained and experienced in treatment of most concerns including but not limited to anxiety disorders, depression and other mood disorders, low self-esteem, relationship concerns, emotional and physical abuse, trauma and alcohol and drug addictions. Edita sees the person as a whole (mind, body & spirit) and uses this integrative approach to help one connect with oneself and begin to heal. Having been trained in three different therapeutic methods, Person Centred Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), allows Edita to meet and help clients based on each individual circumstance and each individual need. She is further trained in the methods of CFT, ACT and trauma treatment.

In part 1 of a short series, my husband Iain and I talk about first transition abroad. Notwithstanding that we could not recall how long we had been married, this was a nice conversation to have. We spoke about the elements we did not know about and did not know in that first transition. Whilst we supported each other, we did not challenge each other in our thinking or our knowledge and we did not advocate for ourselves. The learnings: Enjoy the show!

Christian and Verena are from Austria, living and working in Montreal since 2022. It's their second time being an ICC in Canada. Both times they made the move because of a once in a lifetime opportunity for Christian to represent Austria and the Abis group at ICAO (International civil aviation organization), an UN specialized agency for aviation. Verena's and Christian's professional background are in the field of air and space and they worked in Paris, Brussels, Vienna, Vorarlberg. Not always in the same place they had a commuting flexpat life for 8 years, before they decided to make Montreal their joint home once again. Key Takeaways: Your expat dual careers can take you to new locations and different locations in flexible ways you could not have anticipated.Address your situation with your organisations at significant times and as early as possible.Organisations needs to manage dual careers and care for the management of their employee's personal situation in a professional way. A little more about our guests: Verena studied law at the University of Innsbruck and has been working in the public sector since 2003. Initially in aviation, she moved to the Technology and Innovation Section in 2017, where she worked in the area of Space affairs as a senior policy officer. In 2019 Verena moved to Brussels to work at the Permanent Representation of Austria to the EU as Attachée for Space, Technology and Innovation and since October 2022 she lives and works in Montreal, Canada, working remotely for the BMK in the area of Aviation and Space Technologies. Due to these career transitions Verena experienced the different facets of expat life, starting her first time living and working abroad in 2009 following her partner to Canada, after which she repatriated for 5 years to Austria before expatriating once again towards Brussels for 3 years, having a "flexpat"-dual career setup commuting between Vienna as the homebase, Brussels and Paris, where her husband worked. In 2022 they decided to make a joint move once again back to Montreal where Verena and her husband currently live and work. Her focus lies in networking and advocating for new HR-policies in order to untap the full potential of dual car(e)ers. It is her passion to support expats during their transition phases (outgoing or incoming) and she has already successfully set up non-profit organizations for expats in Canada and Austria (MTL and VIE LESA, XIPAT). LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verena-heingaertner/ Website: www.xipat.at Christian Schleifer-Heingärtner started his aviation career over 33 years ago as Avionics Maintenance Engineer. And since 2022 he is the Austrian Representative on the Council of ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), a specialised United Nations organisation based in Montreal,Quebec. He has already been on an assignment to ICAO from 2009 to 2013, which was the first time ever to take on an assignment abroad serving as an Air navigation commissioner (ANC) and later on president of the ANC, where he was responsible for developing Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) in the fieldof Air...

Gertraud is able to talk about the key success factors of your first months on assignment: Building trust, connection and commitment. She explains why self-care should be high on your to-do list, why to treat your assignment with some permanence so that you can truly be present and invest in your new location and the people around you and why it is important to create balance at home by ensuring everyone's needs and purpose is understood. Gertraud speaks from an individual, couple and family perspective. She also has some good advice for organisations and advises that we start to view this more often as a holistic business case to make sure everyone is included in an enjoyable experience. As you listen you will become more aware of 3 traps that we often fall into when starting a new role abroad: overcommitment, forgetting to understand the legacy you are building upon and rushing your own agenda. About our fabulous guest, Gertraud Eregger: Global Career Coach & Founder of create your move. Lived and worked in HR leadership roles in Ethiopia and Jamaica. Loves to coach global talent and extraordinary human beings on their journey to re-discover joy for work and life. Works in Graz with organizations as Caritas to shape their leadership culture, and works with CINT building a true welcoming culture here in Graz for anyone coming from abroad who is trying to find home here. As Margret shared with me once: I’m connecting treasures with the world and with their world again. Proud mum of two wild & adventurous girls. Feeling free and full of ease when riding or walking steep hills, with one intention for 2023: to be in nature, in the woods. She studied leadership across cultures, worked with executives in NGOs creating global programs for the most challenged among us, and immigrants recently moving to Austria. She helps leaders to find answers to 2 major questions, she saw many of us - especiallygloballyworkingwomenleaders-strugglingtofindanswersto: Howcan I create more magic in my life and find ease while working nonstop? And how can I handle all messy parts of being a leader and making life so much more complex? Gertraud's core work is focused on women leadership, global career and life transitions - and she finds herself as a living experiment mastering her own transitions - now her recent transition into motherhood again. Links to connect: www.gertrauderegger.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gertraud-eregger-85a76046/ Upcoming Uptreat: Like a hummingbird – 2 day retreat from October 6-7 at:

In this episode the authors of 'The International Career Couple Handbook', Jannie Lasted Skov-Hansen and Dr. Paul Vanderbroeck, introduce the Handbook and we have an open conversation about the need to adapt and innovate the conversations around international careers. Key words in this episode are Enjoyable, Fun and Meaningful. Jannie and Paul share their thoughts based on their personal and professional knowledge and experiences. They are at the forefront of these conversations with individuals, couples and within organisations. As always, they share advice for International Career Couples and also provide guidance on the different type of conversations we need to be having within organisations. There is a lot to digest within this episode so you will also find a helpful blog outlining some of the key concepts. I'm so excited to be part of this conversation and can only feel that what Paul and Jannie are bringing to light is a key part of the shift needed around people (partners and couples) involved with international careers. Most importantly, if you have not done so already, go and buy the Handbook! You can do so by visiting the Here We Are Global website (https://www.hereweareglobal.com/hwagbook), where you can also find other interesting resources. The Handbook is also available on Amazon (https://www.amazon.co.uk/HERE-WE-ARE-International-Handbook/dp/1838174605)

In this episode Adrian Cartwright shares his knowledge and experience of working with expats to manage their finances. As a Wealth Consultant with a global client based Adrian uses his down to earth approach to talk about some of the simple yet difficult steps expats should be taking to manage their finances. He has a clear message - don't keep up with the Jones, budget and remember that as an expat, the onus is on you to manage your own finances. Adrian can be contacted via his website and LinkedIn. His website has a lot of information available for expats and I encourage you to take a look. Wealth Consultant Dubai - An Independant Consultant Based In The UAE (adrian-cartwright.com) linkedin.com/in/adrian-cartwright-acsi-513b335b

Abigail Viljoen is an EY Partner with over 25 years' experience in Financial Services, primarily focused on Regulation & Risk Management. She’s currently based in London, having returned from two back to back mobility assignments in mid-2022. She initially spent 3 years in Johannesburg, setting up and running the Africa Financial Services Risk Management practice, and that was followed by a further 3 years in the Sydney practice, focusing on Regulatory Compliance, Conduct & Culture and Sustainable Finance. Abigail and Kate discuss these two mobility assignments and address some of the challenges Abigail and her husband have been able to navigate. Abigail shares her top tips on being pragmatic, being realistic in expectations, working to be a cohesive unit, knowing the pros and cons of a move, being motivated by more than just career and having an adventure together. All of this should start with early conversations and not rushing your decisions. Abigail and Kate consider how to plan for the worst case scenario by mentally preparing for the challenges you cannot envisage. From economic policy to becoming an England supporter rather than a Springbok supporter from facing a 'pandemic' assignment to working out how to 'be' when one person is prevented from working - this episode covers it all.

In this episode we hear Stacey and Adrian's story. They moved at short notice to Dubai, UAE and have navigated having a young family along with developing both of their successful careers. They tell us about making difficult decisions, how they coped in the early stages of their dual career-ing, the feelings of parental guilt and share how things have developed so that they are both able to encourage each other and push each other to grow their careers. They share how they collaborate and communicate on the day-to-day and the longer term to make it work. It would mean a lot if you would take 2 minutes to leave a Podchaser review: Click here to follow for free, rate the podcast and leave a review. https://www.podchaser.com/InternationalCareerCouples Thank you for listening!

This episode is named after the firm belief of our guest. Kathy Boys Siddiqui is a firm believer that if you are lacking something - create it and this comes through in what she has to share with is in this episode. Kathy is a running enthusiast, all year cold water swimmer, active lifestyle and well-being advocate, mentor, speaker, writer, wife and Mom. Kathy has lived in 4 countries and on 2 continents. Growing up as an immigrant and a cross-cultural kid she was able to discover a multicultural world that shaped her into the person she is today. As an adult she experienced life as a re-pat as well as an expat and she is not a stranger to the challenges and opportunities that life abroad offers. Just when she least expected it, she met her Danish husband and once again packed her life in boxes and set off to live the happily ever after in the land of the Vikings and Hygge. Kathy has been able to combine her passion and profession as an Intercultural Trainer, owner and founder of Active Action, public speaker and facilitator. Kathy is an Intercultural trainer focused on the attraction and retention of highly skilled internationals. She specializes in intercultural awareness, cultural transition and adaptation, emotional resilience and well-being, as well as Personal Branding and LinkedIN Networking. Through her work she focuses on raising awareness, acknowledging and bringing solutions to challenges that Internationals, their families, and employers are faced with in order to create a thriving and positive environment for all. So in this episode we hear from an expert in her field and a real life expat! If you would like to find out more about Kathy and her work you can visit her website or connect via LinkedIN using the links below: Website: www.activeaction.dk LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathybsiddiqui/ UGdxsgcg1DvQQpp70XGW

In this Bonus Episode, Wiebke Anton, Certified Relationship Coach, explains about how the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse can negatively impact our conversations. They are: More importantly, she gives real, practical ideas on how to have better and more meaningful conversations. Think about these before you start those all important conversations about your careers - with your partner and your employer.

We are talking about relationships! Wiebke Anton is a mediator and certified relationship coach. In her own coaching practice 'Help4Love' she works with current and future expat couples and helps them to understand and navigate their relationship challenges that have been boiling up in relation to their assignment abroad. She supports her clients in establishing a more respectful and 'productive‘ way of communication. In her 1:2/1:1 sessions, Wiebke focuses on analysing and understanding the couple‘s patterns of behaviour, in order to replace them with suitable alternatives through hands-on exercises. She also supports couples in transition to their next (or first) assignment who struggle with the end of their dual career life and the overwhelm of moving to a different country. Wiebke supports them to create a new vision for their relationship so that they can seize their move as a fresh start for their relationship as well. You can find out more here: Relationship coaching for expats: https://www.help4love.com/expats LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wiebke-anton/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiebke.help4love The Summit on Expat Relationships that makes you switch from stressed to inspired: https://www.expatcouplessummit.com

Sandra and Jill offer top tips based on their personal and professional experiences. Here you can read more about their business, Forward Steps Coaching. Sandra and Jill formed Forward Steps Coaching in 2018 having qualified as ICF coaches. Their corporate and international experience combined with their coaching skills enables them to make a positive difference to those they work with. Forward Steps coaching supports expats through the challenges and issues faced with expat living and working. They offer a confidential place to talk through tough situations and the demands of expat life. Through coaching they are able to help expats navigate a way forward, transform their expat assignment and thrive in their new location. Key ways that you can find out more and follow Forward Steps Coaching: Website: www.forwardstepscoaching.co.uk Instagram & Facebook: Forwardstepscoaching LinkedIn: Sandra Robinson Jill Brown Top Tips Links: https://mailchi.mp/forwardstepscoaching/top-tips-for-expats https://mailchi.mp/forwardstepscoaching/top-tips-for-expat-partners

Sandra and Anthony met whilst on their individual Expat assignments - Sandra had actively sought an international assignment which Anthony was an ‘accidental’ expat. Over the course of 10 years their expatriate lives took them through Hong Kong, the USA and Africa...but not always at the same time. Theirs is a story that shows you can manage your careers when you take time to understand what you both want, gain the support of your companies and collaborate to make it work. In this episode, Sandra and Anthony share the factors that determined transition periods in their career. For example, Anthony knew that he needed to make a move or he would have disappeared under the radar. However, Sandra was pursuing a close to a long sought-after promotion. The whole decision around should you stay or should you go was real. In this episode they share how they locked themselves in a room with flipcharts, did a value engineering exercise on them and decided not to buy a boat and sail around the world! Some of the key criteria they considered were financial implications, their relationships and work life balance. Ultimately, they knew they were strong enough as a couple that they could follow their career paths in separate countries for some time. Their companies knew everything and both companies were incredibly supportive. They were able to provide the infrastructure that ensured they could retain their highly valued employees. I share some of my own thoughts around our current relocation and how coming together to really think about what we wanted for our future lives has led us to take a less obvious route back to Scotland.

In this episode we hear from Becky and Sam who are enjoying their first expatriate assignment in Dubai. In this episode you will hear about how: The key advice from this episode:

In this episode we learn and get tips from Nanette. A business psychologist by training, Nanette has more than thirty years’ experience in the corporate world, primarily in consulting and the aviation industry. Her role has varied from culture and change management to supporting individuals make the most of their talents and careers through leadership development, talent management, and developmental assessment. A long-term expat, she set up and ran her own business in the Middle East for many years prior to ‘retiring’ early to travel and work more flexibly. Since then Nanette founded WhatNextology, a resource for those wanting to make the most of their life after full-time work and family commitments. WhatNextology provides community, support, ideas and inspiration for those planning their what's next once they retire. In this episode Nanette shared tips and hints for this ‘wonderful, flexible part of [our] life’. We cover the common challenges faced when moving out of full time employment. These include: Finances, Suddenly having more time together, and Different visions for the future. What are our learning and areas to think about? We learn about what the ‘Third Age’ is and how we can make the most of it. Nanettre shares when and how we start to plan for it – it is a lot earlier than I thought! We talk about unexpected retirement, identity shift, and portfolio careers. Nanette gives key advice, that includes: Nanette brings a research-based approach along with practical information. She points towards resources on her website (including an informative, free questionnaire) that can help as we begin to think about this time of our life. You can find some useful links below. WhatNextology website: www.whatnextology.com Free Questionnaire: https://www.whatnextology.com/wayfinder/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nanette-fairley/ Instagram: @WhatNextology Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/RetirementRedefinedInspirationforyourThirdAge/ Email: nanette@whatnextology.com https://www.whatnextology.com/how-do-you-know-youre-ready-to-retire/ https://www.whatnextology.com/are-you-psychologically-ready-to-retire/

Disclaimer: There is a little audio disruption during this recording but bear with us to hear the many hints and tips :).

In this episode we learn: · the benefit of thinking about the family values · how coaching can help identify your values and how understanding shared values enables decision making for the whole family unit and can help with consistency regardless of the culture around you. · managing your international careers is not always easy but it encourages growth and building life together. · how one couple experienced saying 'yes' to both opportunities and what they learned. · how one couple's work with a coach provided objective though and encouraged fruitful conversations together. · how the pandemic has encouraged social connection over physical distance and the current lived experience of their expatriate assignment KEY SUMMARY You are stronger together so lean on each other. You are not alone and have faith in each other; encourage each other and lift each other up. Build something sustainable and strong. Build a sense of community around you. Seek the greater sense of purpose behind each location.

Find out how Jeremy and Natalia went from the 'hardest conversation we ever had' to managing two careers across continents with job offers, travel, relocation and new babies along the way. This episode discusses how important it is to have a shared vision. Specifically, it is important to understand your own vision and then how the two can meld together to became a shared vision. It is not easy and can require some candid conversations and collaboration.

Kate is an expat like you and is navigating a career together with her husband. There is a lot out there about managing your international career but don’t you think it is about time we got real about the challenges of managing two careers together? Welcome to the International Career Couples Podcast. Here you will find real stories from expats who are navigating this challenging career landscape as well. Kate uses her coaching instinct and curiosity to find out what we need to know so that we can align and grow our careers while living on the move.