What happens when the world shuts down, and you find yourself stranded in a foreign country with no way out?

Continuing the journey of Redefining Home, host Debra Josephson shares her raw, unfiltered journey of making a foreign land feel like home during one of the most challenging periods in modern history—the pandemic. As a solo Gen X traveler and expat, Debra delves into the struggles and revelations of living in a vastly different culture. Drawn to China by abundant opportunities like teaching English/Visual Art and a vibrant society, she quickly encountered the harsh reality of being a perpetual outsider in a culture deeply rooted in its own ways.

As strict lockdowns transformed daily life into eerie empty streets and constant surveillance, Debra found herself isolated yet determined to adapt. Through forging connections via creative groups and digital platforms like WeChat, she discovered resilience and the importance of community. Amid the chaos, a chance encounter with a rescued dog in Beijing blossomed into an unbreakable bond—an unexpected reminder that survival is not only about enduring hardship but also about finding connection in the most unforeseen places.

From the highs of cultural discovery to the lows of loneliness, Debra uncovers the realities of living outside conventional boundaries and explores how survival isn’t just about enduring hardship but also about finding connections in the most unexpected places.

Key Takeaways:

• 01:31 – Redefining Home: From New York to the Philippines
• 01:47 – Living in China During the Pandemic
• 02:59 – Challenges and Adaptations in China
• 07:11 – Navigating Cultural Differences
• 09:51 – Making Connections and Finding Community
• 16:41 – Reflections on Home and Freedom
• 19:00 – Starting Over and Embracing Change
• 26:05 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Follow Debra on Social Media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DebraExperientExplorer
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/experientexplorer/
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@experientexplorer/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExperientExplorer

Visit Debra’s multimedia website at www.dmeryl.net

Let’s connect with a text!

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What if a routine stop at a gas station felt like traveling back in time?

In this exciting kick-off episode of No Borders, No Filter Podcast, host Debra Josephson shares a surprising encounter at a Shell station that evoked memories of 1950s America- where customer service was personal, attentive, and genuinely welcoming.

Growing up in Long Island, New York, Debra always felt a pull beyond her roots. While her childhood home provided structure, she found a deeper sense of belonging outside whether in her neighborhood or the warmth of her high school sweetheart’s Italian family. This early contrast shaped her understanding of home as something more than just a physical space- it’s about connection, authenticity, and shared experiences.

Through years of travel and cultural immersion—from New York to calling countries like Costa Rica, Italy, and the Philippines home—Debra challenges the conventional notion of home. Is home defined by a physical place, an emotional connection, or the people we surround ourselves with? How does the journey of travel shape our identity and redefine our sense of belonging?

Key Takeaways:

• 00:28 – Meet Your Host: Debra, the Experient Explorer
• 01:33 – Redefining Home: From America to the World
• 02:15 – What Does Home Mean?
• 02:47 – Growing Up in New York: A Personal Journey
• 09:56 – Adolescence and the Search for Belonging
• 11:28 – First Love and the Feeling of Home
• 14:54 - Cultural Perspectives on Home
• 16:40 - The Search for Connection
• 18:01 – Travel Adventures: Costa Rica and Beyond
• 26:43 – The Allure of Italy: A Potential Home
• 36:36 – Life in the Philippines: A New Chapter
• 32:54 - The Value of Arts and Culture
• 39:56 – Conclusion and Future Plans
  
  

Join Debra in the next episode as she reflects on her experiences living in China during the pandemic and how they further shaped her understanding of home. From lockdowns to unexpected moments of connection, she shares how a rapidly changing world forced her to rethink what stability and belonging truly mean.

Follow Debra on Social Media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DebraExperientExplorer/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/experientexplorer/
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@experientexplorer/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExperientExplorer

Visit Debra’s multimedia website at www.dmeryl.net

Let’s connect with a text!

Support the show

Welcome to the No Borders No Filter Podcast, hosted by Debra Josephson, the Experient Explorer. As a solo Gen X nomad who has lived on her own terms since the pre-digital era, Debra shares her journey from biking around Long Island, New York to embracing an intercontinental travel lifestyle. While navigating the awkwardness and frustrations that come with this path, she also experiences the beauty of soulful adventures and real connections.

Debra sheds light on her mental health struggles, disdain for societal norms, and how politics, and religions affects her life- while navigating life as a highly sensitive and introspective individual.

If you’re seeking fresh insights, a deeper understanding of personal freedom, or simply someone who speaks candidly about life beyond borders, this podcast is for you.

Tune in for unfiltered conversations on authenticity, resilience, and thriving in an increasingly complex world. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and connect-links are in the description!

Follow Debra on Social Media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DebraExperientExplorer/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/experientexplorer/
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@experientexplorer/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExperientExplorer

Visit Debra’s multimedia website at www.dmeryl.net

Let’s connect with a text!

Support the show