On this episode of Away We Go We Go, I have the pleasure to sit down with Salem Cone, founder of Gallivant and Gather, a sought-after women’s retreat experience in the heart of Provence. Salem shares her journey from a fast-paced career in advertising to creating transformative retreats that blend movement, mindfulness, connection, and the magical charm of southern France.

Salem takes us inside her thoughtfully curated retreats, designed for women seeking meaningful adventures, rest, and the delight of French countryside living. She highlights the joy of building friendships, savoring local food, exploring markets, and the power of investing in yourself through travel. We also chat about the realities of planning in France and creating experiences that encourage breakthroughs and lasting memories.

If you’ve dreamed of a rejuvenating escape where every detail is planned, this episode is for you. Salem has a few last-minute openings for her fall Provence retreats, so be sure to check out Gallivant and Gather for your chance to join. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the show. Connect with us for more inspiration and adventures!

LINKS:

https://gallivantandgather.com/

https://www.instagram.com/gallivantandgather/

Contact info:

Website:

https://sophieepton.com/

Instagram:

@thesophiepton

@jordanepton

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode, we celebrate two incredible years since moving to France and reflect on all the ways life has changed. We talk about navigating culture shock, building a community, parenting twins abroad, and finding gratitude in the small pleasures of city markets, scenic walks, and delicious local food. From the charm of a historic French apartment to weekend market adventures and our kid’s recovery after surgery, our everyday stories highlight both the beautiful and challenging aspects of settling into a new country.

We share our honest experiences—the joys of travel, the delight of raising bilingual kids, and the peace of a slower pace, as well as the hurdles of bureaucracy, language barriers, missing conveniences, and the sometimes baffling world of French customer service. Through it all, we remind ourselves and our listeners that building a new life is a journey filled with growth, resilience, and lots of learning.

If you’ve ever dreamed of making a big move or are craving a fresh start, we hope our stories encourage and inspire you. Take a moment to reflect on the adventures you want to create, and join in our journey by subscribing, leaving a review, and following us on Instagram. Let’s keep growing and learning together!

Contact info:

Website:

https://sophieepton.com/

Instagram:

@thesophiepton

@jordanepton

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode, we share what it’s really been like moving to France with our young twins. From funny family moments to the ups and downs of settling into a new country, we talk about what’s changed since we left Austin. With help from new friends and family, our weekend felt full of small wins and a growing sense of community.

We also look back at some of the “what if” moments that shaped our path, what life might have looked like if we hadn’t made the move. We touch on everything from finding a home, adjusting to new routines, figuring out healthcare, and building a new support system. It’s an honest, lighthearted conversation about starting fresh, with plenty of laughs and appreciation for this chapter of our lives.

If you’ve ever thought about moving abroad or making a big life change, this one’s for you. DM us with your thoughts or questions, and don’t miss next week’s episode, as it’s our two-year anniversary in France! Subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram. We’re glad you’re here with us!

Contact info:

Website:

https://sophieepton.com/

Instagram:

@thesophiepton

@jordanepton

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode, we talk about what daily life in France has been like for our family. We share personal moments, from everyday routines to Luca’s recovery after surgery. We also describe how national holidays like Bastille Day shape the rhythm of our days.

We also dive into the feelings that come with visiting California after building a new life in France. We chat about the emotional tug-of-war that comes from being between cultures, missing certain comforts of home like convenient groceries and beloved snacks, but also finding gratitude in slower-paced routines and the rituals that make France special. Reflections on car culture, walking-friendly towns, and the magic of fresh markets highlight what we cherish about both worlds.

If you want to hear more about the reality of expat life, family adventures, and honest conversations about the beauty and challenges of starting over, this episode is for you.

Contact info:

Website:

https://sophieepton.com/

Instagram:

@thesophiepton

@jordanepton

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this special episode of Away We Go We Go, we share one of the wildest weeks of our lives, navigating our son Luca’s open chest surgery in France, all while managing jet lag, travel hiccups, and family chaos. We get into the emotional rollercoaster of being split between hospital rooms and home, the challenges (and surprising miracles) in Luca's recovery, and how it feels to handle a major medical event abroad.

We also take you behind the scenes of French healthcare, breaking down the realities of hospital care in Marseille, how it compares to our experiences in the U.S., and the little things that made a huge difference for our family. From language barriers to hospital food, we keep it honest, hopeful, and, of course, a little humorous - as Luca himself makes a special guest appearance!

Listen in, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share your thoughts with us. We love hearing from you and are so grateful to have you in our community as we figure it all out together!

Links: https://turbli.com/

Contact info:

Website:

https://sophieepton.com/

Instagram:

@thesophiepton

@jordanepton

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this fun episode of Away We Go We Go, I take you through my crazy week as I balance work, parenting, and getting everything ready for a last-minute family trip to California. I open up about the wild ride of raising twins in France, like late-night photo shoots in lavender fields and the toddler tantrums that come with keeping kids up past bedtime for one great family moment.

I also talk about why Jordan and I decided to raise our kids outside the U.S. We love the benefits of bilingualism, living abroad, affordable childcare, universal healthcare, and the slower, family-centered pace of life in France. I share what French parenting and school life are really like, from how kids are taught to be independent, to the funny paperwork systems, and of course, the amazing food. I even share some of our favorite things to do with kids in beautiful Provence.

If you’ve ever thought about moving abroad with your family, want a glimpse into expat life, or just need a little parenting support, this episode is for you!

Links:

https://www.aixenprovence.fr/Promenade-de-la-Torse
https://pontdugard.fr/fr
https://www.carrieres-lumieres.com/fr
https://lesgorgesduverdon.fr/
https://avignon-tourisme.com/offres/le-petit-train-touristique-davignon-visite-avignon-lieutaud-avignon-fr-4143767/
https://en.lesbainsgardians.com/post/la-balade-a-cheval-sur-la-plage-en-camargue-un-plaisir-accessible

Contact info:

Website:

https://sophieepton.com/

Instagram:

@thesophiepton

@jordanepton

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode, we share what life has been like for us living in France. From dealing with the hot summer without air conditioning to finding great coffee spots, we talk about the ups and downs of everyday life. We also tell fun behind-the-scenes stories from our recent trips to Paris and London—like tasty food, funny rental check-ins, and enjoying the flowers at the Chelsea Flower Show.

We talk about what it’s like raising twin toddlers during the long French school breaks, a recent health scare that reminded us how thankful we are for good healthcare, and we answer your questions about things like family activities, safety in southern France, and if it’s better to rent or buy a home here. You’ll hear honest thoughts, some laughs, and tips for living (and thriving) as expats.

If you enjoyed our real take on living abroad, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! Follow us on Instagram for daily updates and behind-the-scenes fun. Have questions for our next episode? Send us a message, we love hearing from you!

Contact info:

Website:

https://sophieepton.com/

Instagram:

@thesophiepton

@jordanepton

Links:

Airbnb Paris: https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/appartement-des-archives.html
Liza: https://www.restaurant-liza.com/
Le Petit Marche: https://www.lepetitmarche.eu/
Petersham Nurseries: https://petershamnurseries.com/
Bubala: https://www.bubala.co.uk/
Sketch: https://sketch.london/
Florattica: https://floratticalondon.co.uk/
Cafe Yoyo: https://www.instagram.com/cafeyoyo_aix/
Fondation Vasarely: https://www.fondationvasarely.org/
Gorges du Verdon: https://lesgorgesduverdon.fr/

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode of the Away We Go We Go podcast, I sit down with Kyong Millar at her beautifully renovated home, Maison de Frederic, in Provence. Kyong shares her incredible journey as a Korean immigrant who moved to the US as a child and ultimately found her way back to Europe to fulfill her dream of living in the south of France. From the challenges of buying and renovating a historic property during the pandemic, to adapting to a slower, richer pace of life, Kyong opens up about the joys and hardships of making a home abroad.

Together, we dive into the realities behind the picture-perfect images of life in France, talking about everything from French bureaucracy and language barriers to the thrill of antique hunting and the importance of community support. Kyong gives honest advice for anyone dreaming of owning property in France and reflects on how the experience changed her, highlighting the grit, patience, and scrappiness it takes to create a dream life overseas.

If you’ve ever considered moving abroad, renovating a home, or just love stories of bold transformation, this episode is a must-listen!

Contact info:

Website:

https://sophieepton.com/

Instagram:

@thesophiepton

@jordanepton

Links:
https://maisondefrederic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/maisondefrederic/
https://www.koodeker.com/
https://www.instagram.com/koodeker/
https://www.neptune.com/en-fr

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-