Mom Life in Luxembourg
RTL Today Radio
Join Hayley Allam as she goes from creches to cremant, covering everything you need to know about raising kids and living your best life in the Grand Duchy.
Join Hayley Allam as she goes from creches to cremant, covering everything you need to know about raising kids and living your best life in the Grand Duchy.
From Miss Luxembourg to Content Queen, 30/10/2026
Épisodes
Natasha Bintz Forges the Path for the Luxembourg Creator Economy Natascha Bintz is a Luxembourg-based content creator, entrepreneur and mum of three, known for her warm, authentic take on conscious family life. She began sharing her world on Instagram and YouTube in 2018 during her first pregnancy, and soon left her career in events to build a platform around mindful parenting, clean beauty, family travel and eco-responsible living. In 2020 she was named Influencer of the Year at the Blog Awards Luxembourg. Alongside her content, she is the founder of two brands, Made Production, a Luxembourgish creative media agency and photography - videography studio, and Bride Club. Creating in French, Luxembourgish and English, her goal is always the same: to share real, relatable moments of motherhood and inspire families to live a little more simply and sustainably. And the links I'd love included: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataschabintz Bride Club: https://www.instagram.com/brideclub.lu Made Production: https://www.instagram.com/madeproduction.luxembourg Made Production Weddings: https://www.instagram.com/madeproduction.weddings
Screen Addiction, Bodymaxxing, & The Manopshere. What to do if you're raising boys in 2026 Alex Rakochy is the Upper School Deputy Principal at the International School of Luxembourg, where he leads strategic initiatives focused on student wellbeing, restorative practices, and inclusive school culture. With extensive experience in international education, Alex has worked to embed restorative approaches across school systems, support digital and physical practices that promote student wellbeing, and develop programmes that foster belonging, accountability, and positive relationships. His work is guided by the belief that schools are at their best when wellbeing, relationships, and learning are viewed as inseparable. Jon Adams is the proud father of two amazing boys. Originally from New York, Jon has worked as an educator in the States and around the world for the past twenty years. Currently, Jon is the Lower School Principal at the International School of Luxembourg. Jon is a big believer in building inclusive communities at schools with strong parent partnerships in order to support the holistic development of our students. He is passionate about community education about screen use and social media and is eager to engage with parents and educators about this topic to learn with and support each other. Resources: Common Sense Media: great resource for parents to better understand screen time, social media, phone use and more. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ The Anxious Generation: a good overview of the impact phones and social media has on our children. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/171681821-the-anxious-generation Dr. Kaitlyn Regehr and her book, Smartphone Nation: understanding screen addiction, social media use and digital detoxing https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/220404086-smartphone-nation White Ribbon: free online course about the manosphere and online radicalization. https://www.whiteribbon.ca/raisingboys-manosphere?lng=en Recommending Toxicity The role of algorithmic recommender functions on YouTube Shorts and TikTok in promoting male supremacist influencers: study on the impact of algorithm driven social media https://www.dcu.ie/antibullyingcentre/recommending-toxicity
Brain Fog & More. Everything a midwife nurse wants you to know about the mental side of perimenopause & beyond. Cathy Cribben-Pearse is a passionate healthcare professional with over 25 years of clinical experience as a Registered Nurse and Midwife. She integrates medical expertise with holistic, evidence-based education to empower individuals and teams to achieve their goals. Cathy holds a Nursing Degree, Midwifery Degree, an MBA in Project Management, and is a Certified Executive Coach with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). Her academic achievements also include British Menopause Society (BMS) certification, completion of a Postgraduate Certificate in Menopause Medicine from the University of South Wales, UK, and completion of Dr Louise Newson’s Menopause Training. With a deep passion for women’s health, Cathy’s mission is to bridge the gap between medical understanding and everyday wellbeing, launching "Hermona, by Oaktree mentoring" supporting women, workplaces and communities to navigate hormonal transitions with confidence and clarity, Her approach combines clinical insight, leadership experience and compassionate coaching to inspire resilience, confidence, and meaningful impact across healthcare and corporate settings. Cathy’s work continues to exemplify integrity, empathy and excellence, empowering people and systems alike to grow, connect and thrive. Alongside her clinical and health education work, Cathy is an award-winning mentor, educator and executive coach. She has designed and led national and international mentorship programmes, including initiatives supporting over 200+ nurses across 50+ countries and large-scale national frameworks embedding new healthcare legislation for more than 1000 professionals. Under Cathy’s leadership, OakTree Mentoring has achieved global recognition for innovation and excellence in healthcare. Cathy’s programmes have earned major honours including the 2022 EMCC Global Mentoring Award, and she was selected as a finalist in the 2023 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award from among 52,000 submissions worldwide. In 2024, she was named among the Global 200 Women Power Leaders, underscoring her international influence and contribution to leadership in healthcare. Her array of accolades, including the Stevie MENA Thought Leadership Award (2023) and the International Brilliance Award (2023, London), positions her as a recognised thought leader in the evolution of evidence-based delivery of knowledge and care. Cathys email: cathy@oaktree-mentoring.com Instagram: cathycp_menopause_nurse Join our education group: click on the link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/D4Z9krMXjx7DAo4Nq8G8iZ Letz Menopause Luxembourg: https://letzmenopause.lu
#8 Parent Advocacy In Real Life with Kate & Jen Jen Cooper and Kate Brassington facilitate an independent, parent-led neurodiverse community group at ISL, which has expanded to include other English-speaking schools in Luxembourg. Both Kate and Jen are ADHD mums with neurodivergent kids who love supporting others and creating a sense of community for those who may be far from home. Kate is a Coaching Psychologist running her private practice in Luxembourg (website: https://katebrassington.com/). She specialises in trauma-informed and ND-informed coaching for adults, and is a PhD candidateJen Cooper and Kate Brassington facilitate an independent, parent-led neurodiverse community group at ISL, which has expanded to include other English-speaking schools in Luxembourg. To learn more about Kate Brassington, please visit: https://katebrassington.com/
#7 International School of Luxembourg with Gretchen Blanchard Gretchen is a stay at home mom from New York and has been in Luxembourg for about 5 years. She has 3 teenagers, all of whom attend the International School of Luxembourg, also known as ISL. She is an active member of the ISL Parent Community Group.
#6 Michele Lucius with Ulrik Mueller Join Hayley Allam as she sits down with Ulrik Moeller to discuss what it's really like attending Michel Lucius (ISML). Ulrik Møller is, first and foremost, a proud dad of three daughters, passionately committed to the future of Luxembourg, the country he calls home. As President of the Parents Association at the International School Michel Lucius, he tirelessly advocates for a equitable and inclusive educational environment. A seasoned finance leader, Ulrik sits on global boards while running his own firms. Passionate about giving back and uniting people, he’s also at the helm of various cultural and civic bodies. You can reach him on social media @letzdoittogether
#5 Raising Differently Wired Kids with Debbie Reber Debbie Reber, MA is a parenting activist, bestselling author, speaker, and the CEO and founder of Tilt Parenting, a resource, consultancy, and community with a focus on transforming the lives of parents raising neurodivergent children. She is the host of the op-performing Tilt Parenting Podcast, and her most recent book is Differently Wired: A Parent’s Guide to Raising an Atypical Child with Confidence and Hope. Since 2013, Debbie, her husband, and differently wired young adult have called Amsterdam and Brooklyn home.
#4 What's the difference between gifted, HP or ASD with Dr. Henderika de Vries In this Episode Hayley sits down with Dr. Henderika de Vries, former Fulbright Yale Scholar, PhD in creativity from the Sorbonne Paris Cité, to unpack what is Giftedness and what it's like to have a high potential child. We also cover the overlaps between giftedness, Autism and ADHD.
#3 Over the Rainbow with Kelly Join Hayley Allam as she sits down with Kelly Herkert-Cannady, mom of two, to talk about why she chose Over the Rainbow for her youngest son, who is in first grade.
#2 Talking to your kids about university with Anneke Anneke Hudson is Half English, half Dutch; born in Kenya; raised in Kenya, Zambia, South Africa, Oman, USA and England; and now lives in Luxembourg. She understands what it means to be both a "3rd Culture Kid" and, as a married mother, an expat parent. She is a Registered Career Development Professional with the Career Development Institute in the UK and hold a Masters in Career Development and Coaching from the University of Warwick in the UK. Anneke provides young people with the necessary tools to begin their career journey with curiosity and confidence, and to enable parents to be better placed to guide their child through this exciting period in their life, drawing on her own passion for adventure: trying new things, visiting new places and being on the road.
#1 Summer Parks with Maude Maude Van Rymenant is a Belgian mom living in Luxembourg. In addition to her (full time) day job, she’s also the content creator behind the hugely popular IG handle @you.are.family, dedicated to discovering family activities (museums, parks, summer slides …) you name it. Focused on Luxembourg and bordering countries. You can find Maude on IG or TikTok.
Diane Elsen is a certified menopause coach specialising in menopause education. Susanne Folschette-Tomaszewski is a GP, certified menopause coach, mother of two and just recently finished her specialisation in Menopause Medicine at the University of South Wales (UK) . She is convinced that understanding hormonal changes is key and that women must actively engage in their own care, working in partnership with their doctor to find the best solutions. Her own perimenopausal experience, along with seeing how hormones impact women, led her to deepen her knowledge in menopause medicine. As President of the Luxembourg Menopause Society, Lëtz Menopause, she and her team are contributing to raising awareness about the menopausal transition across Luxembourg, hoping to improve women’s healthcare during this important phase of life. With nearly 30 years of professional experience across the private sector and European public service, she has balanced a full-time career with family life, gaining first-hand insight into the challenges women face throughout their lives. Her own experience with perimenopause—marked by unrecognised symptoms, burnout, and depression—became a turning point. This led her to deeply explore the science of menopause and the neuroendocrine changes involved, giving her the clarity she had previously lacked. Today, Diane supports women in understanding menopause, making informed lifestyle choices, and navigating this life stage with confidence. She is also co-founder of Lëtz Menopause asbl, working to raise awareness and improve education on menopause. Dr. Susanne Folschette-Tomaszewski is a GP, certified menopause coach, mother of two and just recently finished her specialisation in Menopause Medicine at the University of South Wales (UK) . She is convinced that understanding hormonal changes is key and that women must actively engage in their own care, working in partnership with their doctor to find the best solutions. Her own perimenopausal experience, along with seeing how hormones impact women, led her to deepen her knowledge in menopause medicine. As President of the Luxembourg Menopause Society, Lëtz Menopause, she and her team are contributing to raising awareness about the menopausal transition across Luxembourg, hoping to improve women’s healthcare during this important phase of life. To learn more, please visit: LetzMenopause.lu or visit her on Instagram @letzmenopause Dr. Folschette also reccomends: The Balance App, The New Menopause Book, Estrogen Matters Book, The Menopause Brain
Carmen Baustert is originally Luxembourgish and a mom of two boys. In addition to her corporate job, Carmen runs the Instagram accounts @lazyperfectionistmom and @mom_luxembourg. She has always been interested in nutrition and has been making sugar-free food a big pillar of her content over the last year. To learn more about her, visit her Instagram profile.
Victoria Wells-Wei, is a Strassen resident and passionate foodie who turned the daily "mission" of toddler mealtime into a vibrant community celebration. Like many parents, Victoria found that despite her love for cooking, putting healthy meals on the table for a three-year-old was a constant challenge. This sparked a simple but powerful question: What are other families cooking, and how can we share those ideas? Victoria Wells-Wei, a Strassen resident and passionate foodie who turned the daily "mission" of toddler mealtime into a vibrant community celebration. Like many parents, Victoria found that despite her love for cooking, putting healthy meals on the table for a three-year-old was a constant challenge. This sparked a simple but powerful question: What are other families cooking, and how can we share those ideas? What started as a personal curiosity blossomed into a major community initiative through the Strassen Commune’s Budget Participatif Initiative. After winning a grant in early 2025, Victoria launched a project to collect family recipes and transform them into a kid-friendly cookbook. Drawing on her 20 years of media experience, she teamed up with Ti Photography to go beyond the page—venturing into the homes of 10 local families to film their cooking processes and capture the beautiful stories behind their favorite dishes. This project is a true "by mums, for mums" collaboration. Victoria is joined by two talented friends and fellow Strassen residents: Karla Stauffer, an art teacher and designer who managed recipe collection and book layout, and Liza Escudero, a social media expert and early childhood educator who brought the project to life online. While the cookbook is currently in production, with an exciting launch planned for Mother’s Day 2026, you can get a taste of the magic right now. Head over to Instagram and follow @strassenrecipes to watch the video series and find your next family favorite meal.
Patricia is the wife to a very understanding husband and proud mom to an energetic 8-year-old. Originally from South Africa, now happily rooted in Luxembourg. She's an educator, psychologist and works as the Assistant Principal for Students at the International School of Luxembourg. She ‘balances’ motherhood, work and life by rotating crises and is fueled by strong coffee, good humour and cake. Beth is a parent to two teen daughters and wife while loving her work as an Academic Leader and School Psychologist at the International School of Luxembourg. She is originally from the United States and has lived and worked across the world. She most recently spent 4 years in India. Prior to working in the schools, she worked in clinical practice with families. Outside of work, she enjoys coaching and playing sports and cheering on her family in their various activities. The resources mentioned in the show include: Serivice Impuls https://www.solina.lu/fr/facilities/impuls/ Office national de l’enfance (ONE) https://www.officenationalenfance.lu/ Service national de psychiatrie juvénile (SNPJ) https://www.hopitauxschuman.lu/fr/specialites-maladies-traitements/service-national-de-psychiatrie-juvenile Société Luxembourgeoise de Psychologie https://www.slp.lu/en/ Service National de Psychiatrie Infantile déménage de la Kannerklinik: https://kannerklinik.chl.lu/fr/service/pedopsychiatrie
Polina is a mother of two, both born in Luxembourg, a postpartum doula, and an avid birth enthusiast. With a background in marketing, her own transition into motherhood led her to focus on supporting mothers locally. For the past four years, she has been running birth circles and mama meets in Luxembourg. To learn more about Polina, please check her out on Instagram @mama.leopard. Below are some of the books she mentions on the show: Safe Infant Sleep: Expert Answers, The First Forty Days, Hunt, Gather, Parent, The Fourth Trimester
Zenia Dutta Roy is the founder and creative director of Les Sûtras, a lifestyle brand that celebrates handcrafted fabrics and timeless design. Originally from India, Zenia has called Luxembourg home for almost 18 years. She is a wife, mother, and entrepreneur who works closely with artisans to create clothing inspired by traditional techniques and natural fabrics. A die-hard optimist, Zenia strongly believes in positive energy, positive thinking, and perseverance. Through her journey with Les Sûtras, she hopes to inspire others to believe that we can write our own story and design the life we truly want to live. Les Sûtras is a Luxembourg-based fashion brand founded by Zenia Dutta Roy in 2016. The brand creates a unique fusion of European style and Indian craftsmanship. Inspired by beautiful fabrics, intricate designs, and vibrant colours, Zenia created Les Sûtras to celebrate products rooted in Indian art while catering to European taste and aesthetics.The vision behind Les Sûtras is to showcase the remarkable skills and artistry of Indian artisans to Luxembourg and beyond. Each piece is thoughtfully crafted with passion, care, and attention to detail, making every product truly unique. Social commitment is a core value of the brand, and Les Sûtras actively contributes to educational development in India, in collaboration with Aide à l’Enfance de l’Inde et du Népal (AEIN). Zenia restarted the Mumpreneurs support group out of a deep need to create a safe and encouraging space where mothers could connect, share experiences, and support one another. As a mother and entrepreneur, herself, she understood how important it is to have a community that inspires women to grow both personally and professionally. Today, the Mumpreneurs group continues to grow, bringing together like-minded women who uplift, motivate, and empower each other on their journeys.
Why you might be in Perimenopause and What to do about it with Dr. Folschette, Founder of LetzMenopause Susanne Folschette-Tomaszewski is a GP, certified menopause coach, mother of two and just recently finished her specialisation in Menopause Medicine at the University of South Wales (UK) . She is convinced that understanding hormonal changes is key and that women must actively engage in their own care, working in partnership with their doctor to find the best solutions. Her own perimenopausal experience, along with seeing how hormones impact women, led her to deepen her knowledge in menopause medicine. As President of the Luxembourg Menopause Society, Lëtz Menopause, she and her team are contributing to raising awareness about the menopausal transition across Luxembourg, hoping to improve women’s healthcare during this important phase of life. To learn more, please visit: LetzMenopause.lu or visit her on Instagram @letzmenopause Dr. Folschette also reccomends: The Balance App, The New Menopause Book, Estrogen Matters Book, The Menopause Brain
Joanne Olivier was appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on 23 April 2025, after presenting her credentials to HRH Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume. Joanne has served in a wide range of roles in the FCDO since 2009. She was most recently the Deputy Head of Mediterranean Department from 2022 until 2025. Overseas, she has served in Pretoria and Paris. In London she has served in the Defence and Strategic Threats Directorate, as a Middle East Policy Planner and as Head of Ukraine Team. Prior to joining the FCDO, Joanne had a career as a lawyer, including as a practicing barrister in London.
Susa is a pediatric nurse, chef, and UX designer dedicated to humanizing maternal health. After navigating the stress of gestational diabetes herself, she co-founded ZenZen, a Luxembourgish startup building the future of pregnancy support. ZenZen moves beyond data-heavy tracking to provide a 24/7 "knowledgeable friend" in the pocket of every expectant mother. By integrating AI-driven reassurance with chef-led nutritional guidance, Susa is transforming the journey of gestational diabetes into a proactive, joyful experience. She is committed to building empathetic technology that provides what healthcare often forgets: true relief. For more information, please visit: Zenzen.me
Maude Van Rymenant is a Belgian mom living in Luxembourg. In addition to her (full time) day job, she’s also the content creator behind the hugely popular IG handle @you.are.family, dedicated to discovering family activities (museums, parks, summer slides …) you name it. Focused on Luxembourg and bordering countries. We are so grateful for her to share her personal story with us. You can find Maude on IG or TikTok. Below are the resources she mentions on the show: Initiativ Liewensufank Non-profit for parents. They offer a "Baby Hotline" for advice, home visits by doulas, and consultations for traumatic births or postnatal distress. liewensufank.lu Ligue Luxembourgeoise d’Hygiène Mentale (LLHM) Provide professional consultations through their "Centre de Santé Mentale." They have a specialized team of psychologists and psychiatrists. llhm.lu Ligue Médico-Sociale Offer free consultations with pediatric nurses and social workers who can detect early signs of PPD and guide you to clinical help. ligue.lu CHL Offers psychological support services specifically for "Baby Blues" and PPD chl.lu Clinique Bohler Offer the "Acteur de ma santé" platform with resources on postnatal well-being. They also have a psychiatric liaison team for new mothers hopitauxschuman.lu Service Information Dépression Comprehensive portal for mental health resources in Luxembourg prevention-depression.lu *To meet other mums/parents and get out : * Eltereforum Free network of regional community hubs in Luxembourg for parents. Offering one-on-one consultations, parent exchange groups (Elterecafé) to fight isolation, and workshops. La leche league Luxembourg Organise meet ups for mums
Diana Reid is a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist / Diététicienne Agrée, licensed in both the United States and Luxembourg. She has a Masters in Public Health & Nutrition and specializes in nutritional counseling & support for patients with eating disorders, food allergies and intolerances and gut disorders, and the unique challenges related to women’s health, especially during midlife and the menopause transition. She is a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and follows a non-diet, weight-neutral approach to health and wellness, focusing on habits, behaviors and balanced nutrition. Diana works with children, teens, adults and families to help them navigate challenging food and nutrition issues, and has completed substantial additional training in working with neurodivergent individuals, such as those with ADHD and/or autism. She believes in practicing with compassion, understanding, and a personalized approach to nutrition and well-being. Diana sees patients in her private practice in Limpertsberg. She also offers nutrition workshops for corporations, schools, parent groups, and healthcare associations in Luxembourg and online. You can find her on social media at @theglobalrd or via her website at www.theglobaldietitian.com Here's a link to her free download for nutritional & lifestyle guidance for taking a GLP-1: https://www.theglobaldietitian.com/ebooks-and-downloads/free-nutrition-lifestyle-guidance-for-taking-glp-1-medications
Heather Rand is a working mother of two with a truly international background and a strong passion for fitness and healthy living. Originally from the United States, she has been living in Luxembourg for over two years, as well as spending four years previously in Southeast Asia – experiences that shaped her global perspective on family life, wellness, and balance. A former certified personal trainer with eight years of experience, she remains deeply committed to promoting practical, sustainable health habits with her own family. She started her GLP-1 journey a year ago and is happy to share her candid thoughts on the experience.
Spending Christmas at home in Luxembourg this year? For the season finale of Mom Life in Luxembourg, Hayley sits down with local creator Sally Wagner to explore how Luxembourgish families really do the holidays and why it’s often calmer, simpler, and far less consumer-driven than the traditions many of us grew up with.
Maude Van Rymenant is a Belgian mom living in Luxembourg. In addition to her (full time) day job, she’s also the content creator behind the hugely popular IG handle @you.are.family, dedicated to discovering family activities (museums, parks, summer slides …) you name it. Focused on Luxembourg and bordering countries. You can find Maude on IG or TikTok. Photo by Luna Wang on Unsplash
Christos Floros is the founder of Monnett. He has spent years advocating for digital independence, civil rights, and democratic participation. Christos believes Europe must shape its own digital future, one built on privacy, and human connection, not surveillance and algorithmic control. To learn more, please visit: https://monnett.social/
Three years into expat life, Cullen Bass shares what it really takes to build a new home abroad by doing the homework on parenting in a new culture, keeping your identity alive through sport, and heading back to school to retool for a return to the corporate world. Honest lessons, practical tips, and a playbook for starting over without starting from scratch.
Becky moved to Luxembourg from London 5 years ago. She loves life in Luxembourg and is currently in the process of applying for Luxembourgish nationality. When not attempting to learn French or helping children learn to read, Becky can be found sharing family adventures in Luxembourg and beyond at @beckswhatsnext on Instagram. Below are some links that helped Becky get citizenship. https://play.rtl.lu/shows/en/luxembourg-history-podcast/episodes https://luxembourg.public.lu/dam-assets/publications/a-propos-du-luxembourg-et-de-l-union-europeenne/a-propos-du-luxembourg-et-de-l-union-europeenne-en.pdf https://sip.gouvernement.lu/dam-assets/publications/brochure-livre/minist-etat/sip/brochure/Tout_savoir_Luxembourg/Tout_savoir-EN.pdf
Corinne Koenig is the first dual-citizenship President of the American Women’s Club of Luxembourg. Born in Milwaukee and living in Luxembourg since 1971, she brings humour, heart, and a deep sense of community to everything she does. Married for over 43 years, with an amazing husband, three wonderful grown children, two adored grandchildren, and a fabulous daughter-in-law, Corinne believes strongly in giving back. She supports AWCL’s annual Trunk or Treat, its major fundraising event that covers all administrative costs of Gifts for Kids, so 100% of donations go directly to the children, and she personally leads the foyer outreach for the Gifts for Kids project. Each team member has their own role, and together with AWCL’s amazing volunteers, they create a little holiday magic for more than 1,700 children across Luxembourg
Anneke Hudson is Half English, half Dutch; born in Kenya; raised in Kenya, Zambia, South Africa, Oman, USA and England; and now lives in Luxembourg. She understands what it means to be both a "3rd Culture Kid" and, as a married mother, an expat parent. She is a Registered Career Development Professional with the Career Development Institute in the UK and hold a Masters in Career Development and Coaching from the University of Warwick in the UK. Anneke provides young people with the necessary tools to begin their career journey with curiosity and confidence, and to enable parents to be better placed to guide their child through this exciting period in their life, drawing on her own passion for adventure: trying new things, visiting new places and being on the road.
Caroline Fazeli is a wine expert living in Lyon, France, where she owns Lyon Wine Tastings. From California, Caroline has spent over half her life abroad in the UK and France. Beyond welcoming tourists to explore the wines of Lyon, she is a content creator as Wine Dine Caroline, and co-hosts the new podcast all about French gastronomy, the Real Fishwives of Paris, with culinary journalist Emily Monaco.
Justina is a single mom from Poland. She is currently raising two little girls in two different countries! To find out more about Justina, please visit her profile on Instagram @pole_in_luxembourg
Justina is a single mom from Poland. She is currently raising two little girls in two different countries! To find out more about Justina, please visit her profile on Instagram @pole_in_luxembourg
Angela Vitiello is the founder and owner of the Expat Parenting Collective. She moved abroad in 2010, an expat parent since 2018, lived in 4 countries on 3 different continents and traveled to almost 40. She's passionate about experiential learning, leadership development, transitions, intercultural communication and deep dives into understanding more about who we are as humans. For the past seven years, she's been studying all about understanding how our bodies are filled with wisdom, identity shifts, building our lives abroad, and parenting and partnering across cultures. An alumna of INSEAD business school, Angela lives with her husband and 2 third culture kids in Brussels, Belgium. Social Media links: IG work: www.instagram.com/expatparentingcollective Website: www.expatparentingcollective.com Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/angela-vitiello-mba-ms-ed/ Email: hello@expatparentingcollective.com Personal IG: www.instagram.com/itsangelavitiello
For the season finale, Hayley invites her two oldest boys to discuss what it was like moving from California to Luxembourg, and how they're liking their new life three years in.
Dr Valeria Giannuzzi is a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. She holds a PhD in Social Sciences with a specialisation in Migration Studies and is the founder of The Magic Stork, a community-focused organisation based in the UK providing culturally sensitive mental health services. Having lived and worked in five countries before settling in the UK, Valeria knows first-hand the joys and challenges of resettling, learning new codes, and adapting to a new country. With over 15 years of professional experience, she has supported migrants in a range of contexts, including refugee camps, community engagement, research, and specialist mental health services. Her work has involved supporting diverse groups, such as unaccompanied minors, international students, expats, asylum seekers, and vulnerable women. Through The Magic Stork, Valeria seeks to empower migrants by offering individual counselling, psychoeducational support, and workshops that promote mental well-being and resilience. To learn more, please visit www.themagicstork.com
In this episode, Hayley sits down with Jeannelle Gresham, a Danish-born mother of two who’s been calling Luxembourg home since 2007. After becoming a citizen in 2015 and spending time as a stay-at-home parent, Jeannelle discovered a surprising new path: real estate renovation. What started with a single home transformation in Neudorf evolved into a passion project and ultimately a business. Jeannelle shares how she built her renovation career around family life, the lessons she’s learned while managing projects, and her advice for others looking to do the same. Jeannelle also opens up about her work as a certified Relaxation Trainer (DiMAP), and how finding calm amidst the chaos of motherhood and entrepreneurship has been key to her journey. Mentioned in this episode – trusted vendors Jeannelle recommends: Bihor (Heating & Plumbing): info@bihor.lu Rollinger (Roofing & Interior Walls): info@rollingercs.lu Fior Iron Atelier: info@fior.lu OST (Exterior Windows): info@ost.lu Messerich (Exterior Windows): info@messerich.lu Genista (Electrical): info@genista.lu Parisotto Construction (Exterior Walls & Canalisation): parisotto@pt.lu Top-Solid (Interior Doors): topsolid@pt.lu Maroldt (Flooring & Materials): maroldt.sarl@pt.lu Whether you're dreaming of managing your own renovation or just looking for inspiration from a fellow parent building a meaningful life in Luxembourg, this episode is full of encouragement and practical wisdom.
Cara Vincens is a Canadian living and raising 6 kids in Luxembourg. Self described as a "geeky mom of 6," she loves Mondays, fresh starts, papercrafting, bright colours, tea and a good list. She helps you find a rhythm and routine that fits your life, so that you can live it well! To learn more about Cara, pleaes visit https://www.thehootingpirate.com/
Ditching her finance job to follow her passion Anne is Luxembourgish and is a single mom. She is the founder of the language school "Luxembourgish with Anne."
Fabienne Stanitz is the creator and founder of the award winning new wine platform, FabstWines. The platform is dedicated to promoting and educating about local Luxembourgish wines. Fabienne is a certified sommelier and 2nd place winner of the Creative Young Enterprenuer of Luxembourg award. Please visit fabstwines.com or FabstWines on Instagram to learn more.
Robby Coelho is the Founder of Dalza, an innovative digital platform aimed at transforming the support of neurodivergent children. Robby is the father of a neurodivergent child himself and understands first-hand the stress and frustration in trying to effectively manage the care and support of a child with learning and thinking differences. This is why Robby created Dalza - to alleviate this burden so we can focus on helping children thrive. Alex Howell works alongside Robby at Dalza. Mother to a young daughter who lives with certain medical and emotional challenges, Alex is passionate about improving the lives of those within the neurodivergent and mental health community. Dalza was recently chosen as the overall winner in the Learning & Education Category at the World Summit Awards (WSA) 2025 World Summit Awards Global Champions 2025. To learn more please visit Dalza.com
Maude Van Rymenant is a Belgian mom living in Luxembourg. In addition to her (full time) day job, she’s also the content creator behind the hugely popular IG handle @you.are.family, dedicated to discovering family activities (museums, parks, summer slides …) you name it. Focused on Luxembourg and bordering countries. You can find Maude on IG or TikTok.
With Dr. Henderika de Vries In this Episode Hayley sits down with Dr. Henderika de Vries, former Fulbright Yale Scholar, PhD in creativity from the Sorbonne Paris Cité, to unpack what is Giftedness and what it's like to have a high potential child. We also cover the overlaps between giftedness, Autism and ADHD.
With Passages founder, Lynn Frank Lynn Frank is a Coaching Psychologist, who specialises in working with parents of neurodivergent kids and adults with ADHD . She is a founder of the asbl Passage, the parent support group for the English speaking community in Luxembourg. Passage runs monthly support group for all parents as well as organizing events for families and the professionals who work with them. To learn more about her services please visit www.growthstages.com or contact lynn.frank@growthstages.eu To learn more about Passage visit www.Passage.lu or contact them at passage.parents@gmail.com Luxembourg’s national childrens’ and parents’ helpline services is Kanner Jugendtelefon www.kjt.lu. They have a parents helpline and online service available in English.
Kati Duggan is originally from Estonia and has been living in Luxembourg for several years. She's a mom to a neurodivergent daughter who has been diagnosed with ADHD, dysgraphia and dyscalculia. The practitioners she mentions on the show are: Dr Bertholdt-List, email: dominiquebertholdt@yahoo.de. Pam Charlton, pamcharlton79@outlook.com; is an educational consultant and a SENCO (special needs coordinator at St Georges). She does an educational assessment in the private session and it's a paid service.
Debbie Reber, MA is a parenting activist, bestselling author, speaker, and the CEO and founder of Tilt Parenting, a resource, consultancy, and community with a focus on transforming the lives of parents raising neurodivergent children. She is the host of the op-performing Tilt Parenting Podcast, and her most recent book is Differently Wired: A Parent’s Guide to Raising an Atypical Child with Confidence and Hope. Since 2013, Debbie, her husband, and differently wired young adult have called Amsterdam and Brooklyn home.
Jen Cooper and Kate Brassington facilitate an independent, parent-led neurodiverse community group at ISL, which has expanded to include other English-speaking schools in Luxembourg. Both Kate and Jen are ADHD mums with neurodivergent kids who love supporting others and creating a sense of community for those who may be far from home. Kate is a Coaching Psychologist running her private practice in Luxembourg (website: https://katebrassington.com/). She specialises in trauma-informed and ND-informed coaching for adults, and is a PhD candidateJen Cooper and Kate Brassington facilitate an independent, parent-led neurodiverse community group at ISL, which has expanded to include other English-speaking schools in Luxembourg. To learn more about Kate Brassington, please visit: https://katebrassington.com/
With Global Dietician, Diana Reid Diana Reid MPH, RDN and founder of The Global Dietician discusses eating disorders, disordered eating and offers advice to parents who may be struggling with this at home. If you'd like to learn more about Diana, you can reach her at TheGlobalDietician.com. Here are the resources mentioned in the show: 1. https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250831217/fattalk/ 2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK578994/table/appa.tab1/ 3. https://insideoutinstitute.org.au/assets/dsm-5%20criteria.pdf) Another helpful resource might be online screening tools that parents can utilize to see if their child meets some basic criteria for warning signs of an ED, and to seek medical advice. https://staging.nationaleatingdisorders.org/screening-tool/ AND 6 things experts wish parents knew about eating disorders: https://www.today.com/parents/parents-kids-eating-disorders-rcna191905
Marianne Donvan dedicates her life to helping refugees across Luxembourg. She's currently a humanitarian and the manager of Chiche Restaurant, which is run almost entirely by refugees. Join Hayley as she shares her story of how she went from steel trader to single mom to humanitarian.
In this Episode Hayley sits down with Dr. Henderika de Vries, former Fulbright Yale Scholar, PhD in creativity from the Sorbonne Paris Cité, to discuss how to raise creative kids and why that's way more important than you might think!