What happens when comfort starts to feel like a cage?
In this honest, witty, and heartfelt episode, Michele pulls back the curtain on her bold move to Panama — a decision fueled by courage, faith, and a deep need for peace. She opens up about the excitement and the fear of leaving behind the only system she’s ever known, sharing how America has a funny way of programming its citizens to stay inside the box.
With her trademark humor and soulful truth-telling, Michele dives into:
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The moment she realized she was surviving, not living
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The family conversations (and chaos) behind this generational move
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How she’s redefining success from “grind culture” to peace culture
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What she hopes her son — and every listener — learns about freedom and bold choices
If you’ve ever dreamed of living abroad, traveling for peace instead of stress, or breaking away from society’s hamster wheel, this episode will speak to your soul.
Because sometimes, the bravest thing you can do… is start over.
🎧 Listen now to “The Leap: Unlearning Fear and Finding Freedom in Panama” — available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
00:00:00 --> 00:00:06 So here I am, about to move to Panama. Am I nervous? Absolutely.
00:00:07 --> 00:00:14 Excited? Hell yeah. Do I sometimes wake up thinking, girl, what are you doing?
00:00:15 --> 00:00:17 Every single day.
00:00:46 --> 00:00:49 Bees standing on the edge of a brand new chapter, coffee in hand,
00:00:50 --> 00:00:51 and nerves doing the electric slide.
00:00:52 --> 00:00:57 This isn't just a move. This is a life shift. I'm talking about packing your
00:00:57 --> 00:00:59 peace, your patience, and your prayers kind of shift.
00:01:00 --> 00:01:04 Yep, I'm leaving the good old U.S. of A. and head to Panama.
00:01:05 --> 00:01:09 Crazy, right? It's something my family's been talking about for years.
00:01:10 --> 00:01:14 But between the current climate of this country and my increasing desire to
00:01:14 --> 00:01:17 breathe air that doesn't smell like burnout, out, the time is now.
00:01:17 --> 00:01:22 And no, it's not just about sunshine and palm trees, though honestly that helps.
00:01:23 --> 00:01:27 It's about finding a new rhythm, a new culture, a new way of life.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:31 And yes, I will have to buckle down on my Spanish because there's only so many
00:01:31 --> 00:01:35 episodes of Dora the Explorer that can take me so far if I'm trying to build a whole new life.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:43 But this move isn't just about me. It's about us. My father actually gets to enjoy his retirement.
00:01:43 --> 00:01:47 My sister and I finally get a chance to grow in peace, not under pressure.
00:01:48 --> 00:01:50 And most importantly, it's for my son.
00:01:50 --> 00:01:54 Because I see where this country is headed when it comes to people with special
00:01:54 --> 00:01:57 needs. And acceptance has seemed to left the group chat.
00:01:58 --> 00:02:02 So yeah, I'm doing this for him. For his joy, his freedom, and his chance to
00:02:02 --> 00:02:06 live without constantly having to fit into someone else's small box of understanding.
00:02:07 --> 00:02:11 This isn't running away. This is walking boldly into a better life.
00:02:11 --> 00:02:15 One with palm trees, peace, and probably way too much sunscreen.
00:02:16 --> 00:02:22 You know, one thing I've noticed about America, and don't get me wrong,
00:02:22 --> 00:02:26 I love my country, but comfort has officially become the new cage.
00:02:27 --> 00:02:32 You get a job, you stay at that job, you pay bills, you hit the Starbucks like
00:02:32 --> 00:02:34 it's a Sunday service, and then you repeat.
00:02:35 --> 00:02:39 And somewhere along the line, we started calling that living.
00:02:39 --> 00:02:45 That's not living. That's surviving with Wi-Fi. And when I started seriously
00:02:45 --> 00:02:50 thinking about moving abroad, I noticed something sneaky coming upon me. Fear.
00:02:51 --> 00:02:54 Yeah, fear was sitting in the driver's seat.
00:02:54 --> 00:03:00 Not logic, not planning, just plain old fear, wearing a seatbelt and driving my life.
00:03:00 --> 00:03:06 Because that's what we've been programmed to do. Be afraid of what's outside the bubble.
00:03:06 --> 00:03:11 We're told the rest of the world is dangerous, chaotic, just not for us.
00:03:12 --> 00:03:17 Meanwhile, fear is the number one export in America. It's in our politics,
00:03:17 --> 00:03:19 our news, our grocery prices.
00:03:19 --> 00:03:22 They'll sell you fear before they sell you freedom.
00:03:23 --> 00:03:26 The more I noticed that, the more rebellious I got.
00:03:26 --> 00:03:31 Because they want you to think that you're safe here. That it's convenient here.
00:03:31 --> 00:03:35 You know, you got Amazon Prime, you got Target runs, you got your nine to five.
00:03:35 --> 00:03:40 But meanwhile, your soul is sitting in the corner like, girl, is this it?
00:03:40 --> 00:03:43 I hit that wall. Same routine, different day.
00:03:44 --> 00:03:48 Constantly working, constantly paying, constantly existing.
00:03:48 --> 00:03:53 That hamster wheel was spinning so fast I could feel my peace catching vertigo.
00:03:53 --> 00:03:58 And honestly, society does not make it easy for women, especially black women
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 or single parents, to take risk.
00:04:01 --> 00:04:05 We're told to dream. Yeah, you could dream, but only if it fits inside the system.
00:04:05 --> 00:04:11 You step too far outside the box and suddenly you're irresponsible or unstable. stable.
00:04:11 --> 00:04:16 No, I'm just aware. Once I realized that fear was the biggest thing holding
00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 me back, something started to shift.
00:04:18 --> 00:04:23 The moment I stopped letting fear make my decisions, that same fear started to crumble.
00:04:23 --> 00:04:30 It started crumbling like old drywall, piece by piece, until all that was left was me.
00:04:30 --> 00:04:35 My faith and this bold idea that maybe I deserve a life that feels free.
00:04:36 --> 00:04:37 So you may ask, why Panama?
00:04:38 --> 00:04:40 When we started looking at places
00:04:40 --> 00:04:44 to live, we spun that globe like we were playing relocation roulette.
00:04:44 --> 00:04:47 We looked at Africa. We looked at Mexico.
00:04:48 --> 00:04:52 Basically everywhere that did not require a snow shovel. But Panama?
00:04:52 --> 00:04:57 Panama had been whispering our name for a long time. And if I'm being honest,
00:04:57 --> 00:05:00 my dad was the real motivator behind making Panama our new home.
00:05:01 --> 00:05:05 He's been ready for that peaceful chapter. The kind where your biggest worry
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 is whether your hammock has Wi-Fi.
00:05:07 --> 00:05:12 The more I researched Panama, the more I was like, oh, okay,
00:05:12 --> 00:05:15 this is a whole lifestyle shift right here.
00:05:15 --> 00:05:20 Affordable living, slower pace of living, community that actually feels like community.
00:05:20 --> 00:05:23 Not the kind where your neighbors wave at you through a ring camera.
00:05:23 --> 00:05:27 I'm talking people who actually say good morning and really mean it.
00:05:27 --> 00:05:30 I think Americans have been trained to keep moving.
00:05:30 --> 00:05:34 No eye contact, no real conversations. Just get your coffee,
00:05:34 --> 00:05:37 clutch your to-go cup, and go pretend you're busy somewhere.
00:05:38 --> 00:05:41 So the idea of living in a place where people still talk, laugh,
00:05:41 --> 00:05:44 and look out for each other, that's what sold me.
00:05:44 --> 00:05:50 And let's not forget peace and affordability, that is the dream duo right there.
00:05:50 --> 00:05:53 Because I love my country, but everything here costs extra.
00:05:54 --> 00:05:57 Peace costs extra. Rent costs you your soul.
00:05:58 --> 00:06:00 Groceries, they cost you your
00:06:00 --> 00:06:04 patience. So when I saw what Panama had to offer, I said, wait a minute.
00:06:04 --> 00:06:09 This is a VIP life package that has been sitting here this whole time and nobody told me.
00:06:09 --> 00:06:13 Now, I'm not saying I'll be on the beach every day sipping margaritas.
00:06:13 --> 00:06:16 I mean, I might, but that's not the point.
00:06:16 --> 00:06:21 The point is I'm entering a new era, one where I get to live, not just survive.
00:06:22 --> 00:06:25 And if I could do that with a little ocean breeze and some peace of mind,
00:06:25 --> 00:06:27 that's a win in every language.
00:06:28 --> 00:06:31 Now, let me tell you about these conversations the family's been having.
00:06:31 --> 00:06:36 And we've had so many conversations about this move because this isn't just
00:06:36 --> 00:06:39 packing up a U-Haul and heading over a few states.
00:06:39 --> 00:06:46 This is passports, paperwork, and panic attacks on a full relocation to another country.
00:06:47 --> 00:06:51 And with my father's wisdom, my sister's support, and my son's uncertainty,
00:06:51 --> 00:06:54 we've had some real conversations at the table.
00:06:55 --> 00:06:59 The kind where everyone's talking over each other, feelings are flying,
00:06:59 --> 00:07:04 and someone always says, let's just pray on it. Yeah, those type of conversations.
00:07:04 --> 00:07:10 But this isn't a solo trip. This is a generational pivot, a whole family reboot.
00:07:11 --> 00:07:16 My dad gets to enjoy his retirement without the noise. My sister gets to shine in new ways.
00:07:17 --> 00:07:21 And I, well, I get to be the ringmaster of this circus.
00:07:21 --> 00:07:24 But the real heart of this move is my son.
00:07:25 --> 00:07:28 My responsibility as his mother isn't just to make sure he survives.
00:07:28 --> 00:07:31 It's to make sure he exists fully.
00:07:31 --> 00:07:35 I don't want him growing up in a world where people look at his differences like they're defects.
00:07:36 --> 00:07:40 I want him somewhere where he can breathe, grow, and just be.
00:07:40 --> 00:07:44 And look, I'm not saying I've got all the answers. Half the time,
00:07:44 --> 00:07:46 I'm winging it with the Wi-Fi. But I know this.
00:07:47 --> 00:07:51 The world I'm trying to build for him doesn't exist where we are now.
00:07:51 --> 00:07:57 So if that means crossing borders to find it, then that's exactly what we're going to do, together.
00:07:57 --> 00:08:03 Now, I'm going to be very honest with you because America has a PhD in programming
00:08:03 --> 00:08:06 people to be scared of everything they can't control.
00:08:06 --> 00:08:11 The fear of starting over. The fear of being too far from convenience.
00:08:11 --> 00:08:17 The fear of being misunderstood, unseen, or worse, forgotten.
00:08:17 --> 00:08:21 We marinate in that fear like it's a national pastime.
00:08:21 --> 00:08:26 And I've had to start unlearning all of it. I've had to sit myself down and
00:08:26 --> 00:08:28 say, girl, survival mode is not a lifestyle.
00:08:29 --> 00:08:31 It's a trauma response.
00:08:31 --> 00:08:35 Because I've recognized something wild. I need to start trusting peace over
00:08:35 --> 00:08:39 productivity. I know. It's a radical idea.
00:08:39 --> 00:08:43 But we've all been trained to confuse exhaustion with achievement.
00:08:44 --> 00:08:48 Somewhere along the line, they convinced us that burnout was a badge of honor.
00:08:49 --> 00:08:54 That's one thing I detest, how we spend more time with our co-workers than our own family.
00:08:55 --> 00:09:00 Like, I don't even like y'all like that. But here we are, eating cold lunches
00:09:00 --> 00:09:03 under fluorescent lights, chasing deadlines like they're dreams.
00:09:03 --> 00:09:08 We're taught to consistently grind. If you're getting a full night's sleep,
00:09:08 --> 00:09:10 somebody will say you're slacking.
00:09:11 --> 00:09:16 If you're taking time out to breathe, they'll ask, aren't you busy?
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 As if peace comes with some sort of sin.
00:09:19 --> 00:09:22 And I don't know who needs to hear this, but that is not living.
00:09:22 --> 00:09:27 That's performing life instead of experiencing it. And I don't want to perform no more.
00:09:27 --> 00:09:32 I want the real thing, the peace, the purpose, and maybe a nap without guilt.
00:09:33 --> 00:09:39 So I did a little grown folks comparison, the challenges versus the benefits of this move.
00:09:40 --> 00:09:43 I'm going to start with the obvious. I'm going to hit the language barriers.
00:09:43 --> 00:09:48 Yes, I am. My Spanish right now is somewhere between hola and hold up. What'd you just say?
00:09:49 --> 00:09:54 But I'm ready for it. I'll learn slowly, probably with a lot of hand gestures.
00:09:55 --> 00:09:59 Then there's the finances. Got to make sure everything is in order because Panama
00:09:59 --> 00:10:02 might have lower costs, but honey, life still costs something.
00:10:02 --> 00:10:05 And of course, there's going to be those moments of culture shock.
00:10:06 --> 00:10:10 You know, when I forget where I am and I try to pay someone for Apple Pay in
00:10:10 --> 00:10:13 the street market, I already see that coming.
00:10:13 --> 00:10:15 Then the big one, starting from scratch.
00:10:16 --> 00:10:20 Let me tell you, that doesn't scare me anymore. I've started from scratch so
00:10:20 --> 00:10:23 many times, I should have a loyalty card by now.
00:10:23 --> 00:10:28 Congratulations, you've earned your 10th restart. Now here's a free wine glass.
00:10:29 --> 00:10:33 Now, on the flip side, what do I get in return? I'm going to get freedom,
00:10:34 --> 00:10:40 peace, clarity, the ability to wake up without feeling like I'm already behind on life.
00:10:40 --> 00:10:44 I get to experience a new culture that values community, not just competition.
00:10:45 --> 00:10:49 So trading convenience for connection. And somehow that feels like winning.
00:10:50 --> 00:10:55 Because really, convenience never fed my soul. It just made me lazy.
00:10:55 --> 00:10:59 But connection, that's where real living begins.
00:10:59 --> 00:11:03 Now, I want to take a moment to reflect on what this move really means for my
00:11:03 --> 00:11:07 son, because honestly, this is bigger than passports and packing boxes.
00:11:08 --> 00:11:13 This move means growth. It means exposure. It means my son gets to see the world
00:11:13 --> 00:11:15 through a lens that's not filtered by limitation.
00:11:16 --> 00:11:21 He's going to learn inclusion firsthand, not as a checkbox, but as a way of life.
00:11:21 --> 00:11:25 He's going to gain the independence, confidence, and hopefully learn that peace
00:11:25 --> 00:11:29 is something you can build. You don't have to beg for it.
00:11:29 --> 00:11:31 And most importantly, he deserves
00:11:31 --> 00:11:34 to live in a world that doesn't just tolerate him, but values him.
00:11:35 --> 00:11:41 Tolerance is the bare minimum. My son is not somebody's diversity quota.
00:11:41 --> 00:11:46 He's a whole person, and he deserves a full life experience that celebrates that.
00:11:46 --> 00:11:50 This move is about breaking generational limitations with bold choices.
00:11:51 --> 00:11:55 And that's what I want to teach him, that your life doesn't have to fit inside
00:11:55 --> 00:11:56 of somebody else's comfort zone.
00:11:56 --> 00:11:59 You can design it yourself. I tell him
00:11:59 --> 00:12:03 all the time you know baby if you want something different you can't
00:12:03 --> 00:12:09 keep doing the same thing if you want better then you got to be bold and that's
00:12:09 --> 00:12:14 a lifelong lesson I want him to carry that courage and peace aren't opposite
00:12:14 --> 00:12:20 sometimes courage is choosing peace and if that's the one thing he remembers
00:12:20 --> 00:12:22 from all this then I've done my job.
00:12:23 --> 00:12:28 The bigger picture is reclaiming peace. You know, we love to talk about freedom in America.
00:12:28 --> 00:12:31 We plaster it on flags, shower it out in songs, post it in captions.
00:12:32 --> 00:12:35 But honestly, most people are too afraid to actually live it.
00:12:36 --> 00:12:40 Think about it. We brag about freedom while living like program robots.
00:12:40 --> 00:12:45 We wake up, we work, repeat with a side of caffeine and anxiety.
00:12:45 --> 00:12:50 We've gotten so used to this cycle that stepping outside feels rebellious.
00:12:51 --> 00:12:54 Like you skip one staff meeting and suddenly you're a revolutionary.
00:12:54 --> 00:12:58 That's when I realized I'm not chasing prosperity anymore.
00:12:59 --> 00:13:03 I'm chasing peace. Because peace doesn't come with a paycheck,
00:13:03 --> 00:13:05 but it sure does cash out in happiness.
00:13:06 --> 00:13:10 My new definition of success is simple. If I can wake up without stress,
00:13:10 --> 00:13:15 if my family is thriving, if my son is smiling, that's wealth.
00:13:16 --> 00:13:19 Maybe peace is the real American dream.
00:13:19 --> 00:13:24 You just have to leave America to find it, sadly, but tell me if I'm wrong.
00:13:24 --> 00:13:28 There was a time this country stood by its people, when communities helped each
00:13:28 --> 00:13:32 other, when neighborhoods looked out, when you actually knew your neighbor's name.
00:13:33 --> 00:13:36 But now it's turned into a one-man or one-woman show.
00:13:37 --> 00:13:40 Everybody's out here grinding for survival, smiling through the burnout and
00:13:40 --> 00:13:43 calling it success. And that's no way to live.
00:13:43 --> 00:13:47 Not for me, not for my family, not for anybody. body.
00:13:48 --> 00:13:52 I want more than the illusion of freedom. I want the kind that lets me breathe.
00:13:53 --> 00:13:57 If you're listening to this right now and you feel that little tug,
00:13:57 --> 00:14:02 that whisper telling you to do something radical, it's not anxiety.
00:14:02 --> 00:14:04 It's your soul trying to wake you up.
00:14:04 --> 00:14:08 Don't be afraid to step out of the box that you were never meant to fit in.
00:14:09 --> 00:14:12 Venture out. Explore. I'll look at it like this.
00:14:12 --> 00:14:14 If life in Panama doesn't work
00:14:14 --> 00:14:18 out, guess what? There are plenty of other stamps waiting in my passport.
00:14:18 --> 00:14:25 The world is huge and I'm not scared to meet it. Don't let fear make your life decisions.
00:14:25 --> 00:14:30 Fear is loud, it screams in your ear and it keeps you stuck. But peace whispers.
00:14:31 --> 00:14:34 You just have to get a little quiet long enough to hear it.
00:14:34 --> 00:14:39 So if you've been thinking about moving abroad or maybe your spouse is giving
00:14:39 --> 00:14:44 you that I don't know about that look, come join us on Facebook at the Panama our life network.
00:14:44 --> 00:14:46 It's where we're building community,
00:14:46 --> 00:14:50 sharing resources, and making friends before the flight even lands.
00:14:50 --> 00:14:52 We're building a foundation together.
00:14:53 --> 00:14:56 And if you've been enjoying this podcast, show a little love and support at
00:14:56 --> 00:15:01 buymeacoffee.com backslash talktomemichelle1l.
00:15:01 --> 00:15:04 Trust me, caffeine does keep the creativity flowing.
00:15:04 --> 00:15:08 Make sure you share this episode with a friend who's been talking about change
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 but too scared to make it.
00:15:09 --> 00:15:13 And if you haven't hit that subscribe button yet. Go ahead. Do it now.
00:15:14 --> 00:15:17 Oh, and before I go, I will be taking a short hiatus later this month.
00:15:18 --> 00:15:22 I got to finish packing, double checking and see these airline tickets are right.
00:15:22 --> 00:15:24 Make sure my lip gloss survives TSA.
00:15:24 --> 00:15:28 So if you don't see me for a minute, don't panic. I'll be back with brand new
00:15:28 --> 00:15:33 episodes, fresh energy, and a few surprises up my sleeve that I know you're going to love.
00:15:33 --> 00:15:39 This next chapter is all about growth, peace, and living life on purpose.
00:15:39 --> 00:15:43 So So until next episode, I'm out. Peace.