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Kim is answering more of your questions about life in France, from how French parents balance work, kids and weeknight dinners to what motherhood looks like when women don’t completely change their style after having children. She shares how her friendships have evolved after nearly four years abroad, the one part of French culture she’d take with her anywhere, and the unexpected things her kids noticed during their recent trip back to the U.S., including screen time and the way Americans talk about food. Kim also revisits Bringing Up Bébé after raising her own children in France and shares which observations still feel true. Plus, drawing on her years working at Sephora, she compares French and American beauty standards, from skincare and “baby Botox” to perfectly polished beauty versus the French preference for leaving something a little imperfect. Resources: Bringing Up Bébé by Pamela Druckerman Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod coucou Podcast Website Produced by NOVA

What happens when you build a life that looks successful from the outside, but somewhere along the way stop asking whether it actually feels right? Kim reflects on the life she and her family built in Marin County, San Francisco, CA before moving to France, from corporate careers and private schools to the subtle pressure of titles, homes, cars and keeping up appearances. She shares a vulnerable moment on the Golden Gate Bridge when everything she had been pushing down finally caught up with her, and how a lyric from The National’s “Fake Empire” gave her language for what she was feeling. Three years after leaving that life behind, Kim shares how distance has changed the way she thinks about success, comparison and the choices we make without questioning why. France didn’t provide an instant answer, but it gave her enough space to ask a different question: If nobody else were watching, would you still choose the life you’re living? Resources: Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod Produced by NOVA

After three years living in France, some of the French behaviors Kim once found strange don’t seem so strange anymore. From topless beaches and bikinis at every age to a much more laissez-faire approach to parenting, she reflects on the cultural differences that have made her question some of her own American habits. She also shares what she’s learned about the French tendency to complain, critique and say “c’est pas mal,” and why that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re less happy. Instead, she’s beginning to see how much value the French place on enjoying the day that’s actually in front of them rather than constantly chasing what comes next. Plus, Kim shares her advice on the best time to visit the South of France and why June, September and October may be better choices than the peak summer months. Resources: Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod Produced by NOVA

Kim thought moving to France would mean she’d naturally “pick up” French. What she quickly realized was that immersion alone isn't enough and becoming comfortable in another language takes far more patience, courage and deliberate practice than she expected. In this episode, Kim shares the do’s and don’ts she’s learned while studying French as an adult, from creating her own immersion through podcasts and French TV to giving herself daily “bravery challenges” that forced her to speak even when she was afraid of getting it wrong. She also shares some of the mistakes she can laugh about now, including accidentally buying diarrhea medicine for her daughter’s fever, ordering a Thanksgiving turkey for the wrong day and completely misspelling her daughter’s name on a birthday cake. More than anything, learning French has taught her what it feels like to be a beginner again. It’s been an exercise in patience, humility and getting comfortable with making mistakes, while recognizing just how rewarding those little breakthroughs can feel. Resources: Alliance Française Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod Produced by NOVA

Living abroad can look like rosé in Provence, beautiful markets, cobblestone streets and weekend trips to Italy. And sometimes, it really is that dreamy. But after more than three years in France, Kim is sharing the parts that don’t always make it onto Instagram: exhausting travel days, time zone differences, language barriers, homesickness and the strange feeling of no longer fully belonging to one place. She also opens up about raising kids between cultures, from school and sports to American traditions they’re growing up without, and the questions that come with deciding what parts of your home culture to hold onto. Along the way, Kim reflects on the personal work that moving abroad can bring to the surface and why changing countries doesn’t automatically change who you are. It’s a look at the beautiful, complicated reality behind choosing Another Way to Live, and why even the hardest parts can still be part of a life you’re grateful to have created. Resources: Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod Produced by NOVA

After three years living in Aix-en-Provence, Kim returned to the U.S. for three weeks and found herself seeing American life with completely new eyes. From enormous iced coffees, packed schedules and noisy restaurants to generous strangers, family reunions and the unmistakable warmth of American culture, she reflects on the things that suddenly stood out after becoming accustomed to a slower pace of life in France. Kim shares what she noticed about American attitudes toward time, food, parenting, convenience and productivity, along with the French habits she has come to appreciate, including lingering over meals, embracing downtime and being more present in everyday life. Rather than deciding one culture has it figured out, she reflects on what both France and America have taught her about living well, and why sometimes leaving home is exactly what helps you see it more clearly. Resources: Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod Produced by NOVA

What if the moments that matter most aren’t the extravagant trips or perfectly planned experiences, but the quiet ones happening right in front of us? Kim begins by sharing the very American collection of food, medicine, beauty products and everyday essentials she brings back to France after visiting the U.S. Then, she reflects on how living in Provence has changed her understanding of an “extraordinary” life. From camping under the stars in the backyard and watching movies projected onto the ceiling to late-night swims, messy summer days and an unexpectedly memorable trip to McDonald’s, Kim shares why ordinary moments often become the ones we remember most. She also talks about letting go of overscheduling, asking what her family actually needs and learning to be fully present for the life they’re already living. Resources: Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod Produced by NOVA

Kim is back with the second half of her listener Q&A, recorded after a technical issue cut the video short during the original session. She answers questions about building a life in France, from the biggest changes she has experienced as a mother to the realities of French paperwork and starting a business abroad. Kim shares why parenting in France has helped her worry less, give her children more independence and step away from the pressure to fill their schedules. She also talks about the preservation of childhood, France’s slower adoption of screens in schools, the friendships she has formed with other mothers and what French women really think about the world’s fascination with them. Plus, Kim shares the French fashion brands she wears most including Sézane, Soeur, Ysé, Stella & Suzie, Zara, J.Crew and Tuckernuck, her approach to building a wardrobe and what she learned while navigating visas, freelance work and the French administrative system. Resources: Sézane Soeur Ysé Maison Stella & Suzie Zara J.Crew Tuckernuck France-Visas: International Talent Visas France-Visas: Self-Employed or Liberal Activity Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod Produced by NOVA

Kim is joined by her sister, Courtney Ochs, a first-grade teacher from Chicago, to compare the American and French school systems from both a teacher’s and a parent’s perspective. They get into the major differences they’ve noticed in school schedules, vacations, lunches, recess and classroom technology. Courtney shares what teaching looks like in an American public school, while Kim explains the more traditional approach her children experience at an international school in France. They also compare classroom discipline, support for different learning needs, communication with teachers and the very different expectations around parental involvement. From three-course French school lunches and handwritten cursive homework to classroom iPads and parents competing for volunteer spots, both systems have benefits, drawbacks and plenty they could learn from each other. Resources: Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod Produced by NOVA

Daily life in France: errands, doctors, groceries and all the little surprises. Kim is sharing what daily life in France actually looks like, beyond the postcard version. After an ant infestation in her old French house sends her on a very un-American errand, she starts unpacking all the little ways everyday routines feel different in France. From booking doctors on Doctolib and picking up vaccines at the pharmacy to shopping at the market, carrying groceries in an “old lady cart,” figuring out weekday lunches, navigating the bank and comparing prices between France and the U.S., this episode is a realistic look at the slower, more local rhythm of life in France. Resources: Doctolib Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod Produced by NOVA

After three years in France, Kim is reflecting on the American habits she did not fully notice until she had enough distance to see them clearly. In this episode, she talks about rushing through the day, measuring life by productivity, feeling pressure to “keep busy,” overthinking parenting, buying too much, delaying rest, and treating pleasure like something that has to be earned. France has not magically cured any of these habits, but it has helped her question the fears, assumptions, and expectations that shaped so much of how she lived before. She also shares a summer travel chat about where people in France and Europe actually go on vacation, from Greek islands to Malta, Italy, Croatia, and Turkey. Resources: Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod

In this episode of Conversations From Paris: Kim sits down with Oliver Gee, the creator of The Earful Tower , one of the most beloved English-language podcasts about Paris. Oliver shares how he went from Australian journalist in Paris to storyteller, podcaster, walking tour host, author, and unofficial expert on the city’s hidden corners. Together, Kim and Oliver talk about what visitors often get wrong about Paris, why the best travel moments usually happen when you leave room for surprise, and how to experience the city beyond TikTok lists and tourist checkboxes. They also get into raising kids in France, learning French in real life, the beauty of small museums, and why Paris never runs out of stories. Resources: The Earful Tower Official Website The Earful Tower Podcast The Earful Tower Walking Tours Activities for Kids in Paris: Kapla Centre , Color Room , Atelier des Lumieres Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod

After three years living in Provence, Kim is sharing the things she’d like to say to the French, respectfully, as an American living in France. From the quiet intimidation of speaking French as an adult to the structure, rules and rhythms that shape daily life in France, she reflects on what it feels like to live between two cultures. She also shares what France has taught her about slowing down, protecting pleasure, noticing beauty, and questioning the parts of American life she once accepted without thinking. Plus, Kim shares her packing advice for summer travel in France, so hopes that’s helpful to anyone coming to Europe soon! Resources: Packing Cubes Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod Produced by NOVA

Kim is answering listener questions about what life in France really looks like day to day, from summer camps in Provence and her slower morning routine to motherhood, making friends, style, fitness, writing, and the question everyone asks: will her family stay in France? She shares how living in Aix-en-Provence has changed the way she thinks about work, parenting, creativity, and raising third-culture kids. She also gets into the practical side of moving abroad, including choosing France, navigating visas, starting a freelance business, and finding a new rhythm far from the American rush. Resources: Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod

Living abroad is not one big romantic leap. It is a process, and Kim is breaking it down into the stages she has experienced after moving from California to France. In this episode, Kim shares what life is like in the first year. She shares how these can often feel like the “toddler years” of expat life, when everything feels magical, confusing and slightly humiliating, from speaking in broken sentences to surviving the French post office. She also talks about the second-year homesickness that can hit when the novelty wears off, the cultural traditions you start to miss, and the deeper questions that come with building a new life far from home. Now in her third year, Kim reflects on the quiet confidence that comes with feeling more settled, speaking French more comfortably, letting go of old expectations, and noticing the small moments that make life feel fuller. From Aperol spritzes and sugary French cocktails to raising kids abroad and rediscovering herself, this is an honest look at what it really feels like to grow into a life in another country. Resources: Episode mentioned: Are These the Best Years of Our Lives? Episode mentioned: What No One Tells You About Moving Abroad Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod

Kim is in Paris for another conversation in her special series, Another Way to Live: Conversations from Paris , exploring how living in France can shift the way we think about work, identity, time, and what really matters. This week, Kim sits down with Pamela Clapp, a Belgian-American writer and marketing strategist who has lived in Paris for more than 14 years. Pamela shares her story of growing up between Hawaii, California, France, and New York, and how those different cultures shaped her sense of belonging, ambition, and home. Together, Kim and Pamela talk about the French relationship to busyness, why work is not always the center of identity in France, the American obsession with finding your purpose, French school culture, lunch breaks, status signals in Paris, and the quiet art of letting life be good enough. Resources: Meet Pamela - The Parisialite Follow Pamela on Instagram, @ theparisialite With Love From Paris | Pamela Clapp | Substack Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod Produced by NOVA

After a solo trip to Paris, Kim is sharing the little cultural habits that suddenly stood out to her after three years of living in France. From giant water bottles and coffee to-go to loud conversations, overscheduled weekends, smiling at strangers, and eating on the run, this episode is a funny and honest look at the everyday things other cultures do that can feel completely bizarre to the French. Kim also shares what she’s learned from these differences, what she’s happily adopted from French culture, and the American habits she’s not quite ready to give up. Resources: Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod Great boutique in Paris: Mademoiselle Jeanne

Kim is interviewing Sammy Royal, a Paris-based travel, hospitality and editorial photographer. Originally from New Zealand, she has lived in Paris for three years with her husband and two children. Together, Kim and Sammy discuss how important it is to be present, embrace daily rituals and enjoy your own company. They dive into freelancing, building a network from scratch, learning to market yourself, and the uncomfortable but necessary process of putting your work into the world before it feels perfect. They also get into storytelling, creative partnership, and why taking small steps toward the thing you want can make the bigger risks feel a little less scary. Resources: Sammy Royal: Website & Instagram Juste Les Filles : Sammy’s Freelance Business Agency Isabelle Bertolami’s Paris Apartment: Airbnb Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod

After more than 20 years in corporate America, Kim shares the honest story of what happened when she finally stepped away from the career path she had spent years building. From Harvard Business School to brand marketing roles at Kraft, Victoria’s Secret, Sephora and beyond, she had followed the “right” steps, earned the titles, and kept climbing, until the life she had built no longer felt like her own. In this episode, Kim opens up about the breaking point that led her to quit, the relief and panic that came after, and the unexpected grief of slowing down after years of measuring herself by achievement. She shares what moving to France taught her about stillness, why purpose can’t be rushed, and how the answers often come when we finally get quiet enough to hear them. This is a vulnerable conversation for anyone questioning their path, feeling restless in a life that looks good on paper, or wondering what might be waiting on the other side of slowing down. Resources: Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod

Do you find your mind racing? You might be falling into a mental trap. Kim is reflecting on the quiet mental traps that keep so many of us feeling rushed, stuck, and disconnected from the life we actually want. In this episode, she shares six mindset traps she’s noticed in herself, from tying self-worth to productivity to waiting for happiness to arrive someday in the future. She also compares them with what she’s observed in French women, who often seem more comfortable slowing down, trusting themselves, and defining success from the inside out. This conversation is about learning to notice the stories our minds repeat, interrupting old patterns, and creating more space for presence, intuition, trust, and possibility. Resources: This Is How It Feels To Be Seen by Sophie Beatrice Don't forget to subscribe, rate & review and follow us on Instagram @coucou.pod