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The Bougie Expats

The Bougie Expats

By: Sable
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Welcome to The Bougie Expat Podcast, a show for Black women over 40 who are ready to imagine a different kind of life abroad.


Hosted by Sable, your bougie girlfriend, this podcast speaks to the woman who has spent years showing up for everyone else — family, friends, work, and responsibilities — and is now asking, “What do I want my next season to look like?”


Through honest conversations and lived experience, Sable shares what it really takes to relocate abroad with clarity, confidence, and intention. Having lived and worked in more than seven countries across four continents, she brings real insight into the emotional, financial, and practical side of building a life overseas.


Each episode will cover topics like relocating abroad, planning your money, managing fear, leaving behind familiar routines, building a clear vision, and creating a life where you are thriving instead of simply getting by.


If you have been quietly thinking about moving abroad, starting fresh, or choosing yourself in this next chapter, this podcast is for you.

Subscribe to The Bougie Expat Podcast and join Sable for conversations about freedom, relocation, reinvention, and living abroad with purpose.

© 2026 The Bougie Expats
Personal Development Personal Success Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Ep 13: These are not Headlines... Black Women are Being Warned
    Jul 17 2026

    We are currently witnessing a massive wave of layoffs, lawsuits, funding challenges, and unprecedented scrutiny across industries—and yet, almost no one is connecting the dots. For Black women, the pressure to perform, succeed, and secure our own financial future has never felt more intense, yet the traditional paths to stability are rapidly shifting underneath our feet.

    In this episode of The Bougie Expat Podcast, Sable breaks down the quiet storm happening in entrepreneurship and education, and why the current economic climate demands a complete shift in strategy. She pulls back the curtain on the credibility and income conversations that no one else is willing to have, exposing the truth about "promised" income versus structured, reliable wealth.

    This is not a conversation rooted in fear. It is a masterclass in strategic positioning.

    Sable shares actionable insights on why relying on a single stream of income is no longer a viable option, and how to begin building a foundation for stability rather than mere survival. Whether you are planning a move abroad, looking to build robust income streams before you buy a plane ticket, or simply trying to navigate a volatile corporate landscape, this episode is a blueprint for designing your next chapter with intention.

    This episode is for Black women over 40 who are ready to stop relying on broken systems, take control of their financial destiny, and strategically build the multiple streams of income required to fund a life of freedom, security, and peace.

    In This Episode

    • Connecting the dots on layoffs, lawsuits, and industry funding challenges
    • The rise of Black women in entrepreneurship and education—and the unique pressures that come with it
    • The credibility and income conversation that is currently being ignored
    • The crucial difference between "promised" income and structured income
    • Why one stream of income is a major risk in today’s economy
    • Transitioning your mindset from survival mode to strategic stability
    • How to begin building reliable income before you relocate abroad
    • Why multiple income streams are the ultimate foundation for freedom
    • Designing your next chapter with clear intention and foresight
    • Practical steps to protect your peace and your pocketbook in volatile times

    Thank you for listening to The Bougie Expat Podcast.

    If this episode spoke to you, subscribe to the podcast and share it with another Black woman over 40 who has been thinking about relocating abroad, retiring overseas, or designing a new chapter with more freedom, peace, and intention.

    Join Sable, your bougie girlfriend:

    Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572263316409

    Instagram
    https://www.instagram.com/thebougieexpats?igsh=MXc2d2FqdHA3MW42bw==

    LinkedIn
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/sableryan/

    YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/@thebougieexpat

    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
  • Ep 12: I Moved to Panama Without Seeing It First… Here’s Why
    Jul 15 2026

    Moving to another country is a monumental decision. Most people spend months—even years—meticulously planning, researching, and visiting their destination before ever packing a box. But when Sable decided to relocate to Panama, she did it completely differently: she packed her life and moved without ever setting foot in the country first.

    In this episode of The Bougie Expat Podcast, Sable pulls back the curtain on the real reasons behind her leap of faith. She shares the strategic priorities that helped her choose Panama over other popular expat destinations, how she weighed the risks of moving sight-unseen, and what actually mattered most when it came to long-term quality of life.

    This is not just a story about a spontaneous move. It's an honest look at how to evaluate a new country based on lifestyle, infrastructure, healthcare, and safety rather than just beautiful beaches and warm weather.

    Sable dives deep into the practical realities of her transition, including the real cost of living, the healthcare system, infrastructure, and the things that completely caught her by surprise once she arrived. Whether you are actively planning your move or just beginning to dream about what is possible, this episode is a masterclass in trusting your decision-making and prioritizing what truly matters for your next chapter.

    This episode is for Black women over 40 who are ready to stop overthinking, start evaluating their options practically, and discover what it really takes to build a thriving, secure, and beautiful life abroad.

    In This Episode

    • Moving to Panama without ever visiting first
    • Why Sable chose a different path than the traditional "research trip"
    • How Panama stood out compared to other popular expat destinations
    • The specific priorities that guided her decision-making process
    • Healthcare in Panama: What you actually need to know
    • Evaluating safety, security, and local infrastructure
    • The truth about transportation and getting around
    • The real cost of living and managing your budget
    • The biggest surprises that came after landing in Panama
    • Why living abroad is about long-term quality of life, not just vacation vibes
    • Practical advice for anyone considering Panama as their next home

    Thank you for listening to The Bougie Expat Podcast.

    If this episode spoke to you, subscribe to the podcast and share it with another Black woman over 40 who has been thinking about relocating abroad, retiring overseas, or designing a new chapter with more freedom, peace, and intention.

    Join Sable, your bougie girlfriend:

    Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572263316409

    Instagram
    https://www.instagram.com/thebougieexpats?igsh=MXc2d2FqdHA3MW42bw==

    LinkedIn
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/sableryan/

    YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/@thebougieexpat

    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • Ep 11: One Year After Being Fired_ My Life on One-Third of My Salary
    Jul 2 2026

    One year ago, Sable received an unexpected email that changed everything. Within moments, a successful career she loved was suddenly filled with uncertainty, administrative leave, and the possibility that life as she knew it was coming to an end.

    In this episode of The Bougie Expat Podcast, Sable reflects on the one-year anniversary of losing her government job and shares the deeply personal journey that followed. She opens up about navigating uncertainty, managing fear and chaos, making the decision to accelerate her five-year relocation plan, and ultimately building a completely new life in Panama.

    This is not just a story about losing a job. It's a story about resilience, reinvention, and discovering that the life waiting on the other side of uncertainty may be better than the one you planned.

    Sable shares what it felt like to leave behind a predictable salary, relocate to a country she had never visited before, rebuild her financial life, and learn that living well often requires far less than we imagine. She also discusses the emotional and practical realities of creating a new routine, finding community, embracing a slower pace of life, and turning an unexpected ending into what she now calls her "lemonade life."

    This episode is for Black women over 40 who are facing career transitions, considering moving abroad, recovering from unexpected life changes, or wondering whether it is possible to create a meaningful and financially sustainable second act.

    In This Episode

    • One year after unexpectedly losing her job
    • The HR meeting that changed everything
    • The shock of being placed on administrative leave
    • Living through months of uncertainty, hiring, firing, and ambiguity
    • Why you get to decide how to respond to chaos
    • Accelerating a five-year relocation plan to move to Panama
    • Facing the reality of age bias and career reinvention
    • Why Sable chose not to return to traditional employment
    • Moving to a country she had never visited before
    • The importance of trusting your resilience and problem-solving abilities
    • The reality of arriving in a new country with no friends or support system
    • Finding a home under budget and building a new life
    • Transitioning from a predictable salary to multiple income streams
    • How relocation completely changed her spending habits
    • Building a new daily routine and redefining lifestyle priorities
    • Eliminating major expenses and living comfortably on less
    • Discovering the benefits of a slower, more restful life
    • The unexpected health improvements that came with relocation
    • Learning that living well often costs much less than expected
    • Building community, friendships, and a fulfilling social life abroad
    • Reflecting on one year of creating a completely new life
    • How losing something important became the beginning of a "lemonade life"
    • Why you'll never know what's possible until you take the leap


    Thank you for listening to The Bougie Expat Podcast.

    If this episode spoke to you, subscribe to the podcast and share it with another Black woman over 40 who has been thinking about relocating abroad, retiring overseas, or designing a new chapter with more freedom, peace, and intention.

    Join Sable, your bougie girlfriend:

    Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572263316409

    Instagram
    https://www.instagram.com/thebougieexpats?igsh=MXc2d2FqdHA3MW42bw==

    LinkedIn
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/sableryan/

    YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/@thebougieexpat

    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
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