What does it really take to build a life abroad, and what happens when travel pushes you far outside your comfort zone?

Jackie Nourse, aka Traveling Jackie, is an adventure travel pro, host of JUMP podcast, tour leader, and storyteller who’s built a life around helping people explore the world boldly and authentically. With over 20 years of travel under her belt, Jackie’s led countless group trips, launched two podcasts, and built a passionate community of travelers who seek adventure and growth.

In this crossover episode, Jackie and I reflect on our first in-person meetup in Norway and dive into what it means to design a lifestyle you love, raise a family in a new culture, and face fear head-on. From raising kids in the forest outside Oslo to climbing Europe’s highest sea cliff with a serious fear of heights, this episode explores the intersection of travel, courage, and personal transformation.

This episode offers a personal look into what it means to build a new life in a different country, from navigating culture shock to raising bilingual kids and finding your own rhythms far from home. Jackie also shares a powerful story about doing something she truly didn’t think she could do: climbing Europe’s highest sea cliff on a via ferrata, despite having a serious fear of heights. Her reflections on fear, courage, and support are deeply relatable, whether you're standing on a cliff face or facing something uncertain in your own life.

What’s one moment in your life when curiosity helped you say yes to something scary? I'd love to hear what they are, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.

Tune In To Learn:

Why Jackie decided to design an off-the-beaten-path adventure through Norway
How I ended up living in Oslo (and what I love about it)
Advice to anyone considering a move abroad, especially with a family
How “friluftsliv” shapes Norwegian life and values
What it’s like to raise kids in a forest-filled neighborhood outside Oslo
Why self-designed lifestyle checklists help you reverse-engineer the life you want
How public transport and local access shape rural Norwegian life
What via ferrata is (and why climbing one on a cliff face isn’t as relaxing as it sounds)
How Jackie faced a phobia head-on and climbed the highest sea cliff in Europe
Why small choices (like buying gloves) can snowball into big courage
And so much more

Resources:

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Jackie’s website
JUMP Podcast

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Building a Life Abroad, Culture Shock, and Big Leaps with Traveling Jackie 01:21:02 Share

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Building a Life Abroad, Culture Shock, and Big Leaps with Traveling Jackie