What does it really take to move to France- and stay?

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Susannah and Hugh Cameron, the founders of Chez Pluie (a beautifully curated French antiques boutique) and creators of Provence Export, a shipping app that helps shoppers get antiques home safely from anywhere in France.

They share the real story behind their move from Australia to Provence, including the unforgettable moment they bought their village house in just four days (yes, really), what it was like arriving with no fixed plan, and how they built a business from a garage logistics setup into a full-scale operation with a growing French team.

We talk about the romantic side of Provence and the realities: French bureaucracy, hiring, taxes, finding the right accountant, and how embracing the French system became a turning point. Plus, Susannah and Hugh share behind-the-scenes stories from shipping priceless antiques around the world, including a truly wild one involving Julia Child’s stove!

If you’re dreaming about a big move, building a business abroad, or just love Provence, antiques, and reinvention, this one’s for you.

More Information about Chez Pluie:

www.chezpluie.com

https://www.instagram.com/chezpluie/

https://www.chezpluie.com/pages/international-shipping-of-french-antiques-and-fine-art

https://catalog.chezpluie.com/at-home-with-patricia-wells/full-view.html

https://catalog.chezpluie.com/eb3ea471-160f-435e-8ae6-3eae990aae9c

Provence Export App:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/provence-export/id6471974317

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.export.export

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review if you’re enjoying the show, and thank you for being a part of our journey.

Contact info:

Instagram:

@the_eptons

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this special one-year anniversary episode of Away We Go We Go, we’re taking a moment to reflect on everything this past year has held—both on the podcast and in our life in France. What started as a way to answer questions and document our move abroad has grown into a global community we never could have imagined. From raising our twins in Provence and building family rituals at local markets, to traveling across Europe and back to California, this year has been full of adventure, perspective, and growth. We share some of our biggest “roses” from the year—travel highlights, watching our kids thrive, deepening friendships, and the unexpected joy of creating a home and rhythm here.

Of course, we also talk honestly about the “thorns.” The realities of bureaucracy, visa delays, school logistics, traffic, and the emotional toll of navigating life in a foreign country are very real. Moving abroad isn’t just lavender fields and long lunches—it’s paperwork, hard decisions, and plenty of “what the heck are we doing?” moments. We open up about the challenges we’ve faced behind the scenes and what those experiences have taught us about resilience, perspective, and knowing your “why.”

Most of all, this episode is about gratitude. We reflect on how this podcast has connected us with incredible guests and listeners around the world, and how much this community has meant to us. Thank you for being part of this journey—through the laughs, the mishaps, the big wins, and the messy middle. We can’t wait to see what the next year brings.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review if you’re enjoying the show, and thank you for being a part of our journey.

Contact info:

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@the_eptons

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

When Jordan heads back to the U.S. for a work conference, Sophie is left holding down the fort in France—and almost immediately, the week spirals into total chaos. A planned support system falls through, illness hits the house, the logistics of solo parenting pile up, and even Jordan’s return home turns into a multi-day travel nightmare. What starts as a string of unfortunate (and eventually laughable) events opens the door to a much deeper conversation.

As Sophie navigates life on the ground in France and Jordan slips back into the rhythms, comforts, and contradictions of being in the U.S., they’re both confronted with a familiar but rarely discussed truth of living abroad: your heart doesn’t neatly relocate when you move countries. In this episode, they talk candidly about what it means to miss home while loving the life you’ve built somewhere else, the emotional whiplash of moving between cultures, and the quiet reality that your heart can belong to two places at once. If you’ve ever moved far from home, lived abroad, or wondered whether missing one place means you chose the wrong one, this conversation is for you.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review if you’re enjoying the show, and thank you for being a part of our journey.

Contact info:

Instagram: @the_eptons
TikTok: @the_eptons

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

What if you gave yourself permission to pause — really pause — and intentionally design your year ahead?

In this solo episode, Sophie pulls back the curtain on the 2026 Summit she and Jordan created: a 24-hour intentional getaway to reflect, dream, plan, and build a clear roadmap for their best year yet. This isn’t about vision boards alone or vague resolutions — it’s about turning big dreams into real, calendar-backed action.

Whether you’re craving clarity, feeling stuck in the hamster wheel of daily life, or dreaming about bold changes (big or small), this episode walks you through exactly how to host your own personal summit — solo or with someone you love — starting right where you are.

Your life is worth the pause. Your dreams are worth a plan.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review if you’re enjoying the show, and thank you for being a part of our journey.

Contact info:

Instagram: @the_eptons
TikTok: @the_eptons

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode of Away We Go We Go, we’re getting real about something that doesn’t show up on postcards: what it’s actually like to live in Provence during the winter. While the region is often romanticized for lavender fields and endless summer, winter brings a very different rhythm—slower days, quieter villages, fewer open businesses, colder homes, and a noticeable emotional shift. We talk honestly about the contrast between expectations and reality, from the lack of central heating and high energy costs to the way entire towns can feel like ghost towns once the tourist season ends.

We also share what winter looks like for us as a family living here full time, especially with young kids. Between weeks of rain, limited outdoor time, and navigating school schedules and closures, winter requires a lot more planning, flexibility, and acceptance. At the same time, there are unexpected positives: a calmer pace, deeper connections with other expats who stay through the season, and the chance to experience Provence as locals do—through seasonal markets, winter produce, and quieter routines that invite rest.

This episode is about perspective, trade-offs, and learning as you go. Whether you’re dreaming of moving abroad, planning a winter trip to the south of France, or already living here and wondering if it’s just you—this is a candid look at the season most people don’t talk about. Winter in Provence isn’t for everyone, but with the right expectations, planning, and mindset, it can still be meaningful, grounding, and even quietly beautiful.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review if you’re enjoying the show, and thank you for being a part of our journey.

Contact info:

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@the_eptons

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode of Away We Go We Go, we’re finally back after an unexpectedly long holiday break and kicking off 2026 with a real-life catch-up. Between 17 straight days home with the twins, festive traditions in Provence, and a December fueled almost entirely by sugar, we talk through what the holidays actually looked like for us—equal parts magical, chaotic, and exhausting. From toddler performances and gingerbread house disasters to that familiar post-Christmas emotional dip, this episode is an honest look at family life abroad during the holidays.

We also share the reset we didn’t know we needed: a rare kid-free staycation that gave us space to rest, reconnect, and slow down after weeks of nonstop motion. We reflect on why building in intentional pauses matters—especially as parents—and how even a short break can change everything. We wrap things up with highlights from festive coastal light displays, the reality of winter in Europe, and a candid recap of how sickness hit at the worst possible time (and how teamwork carried us through).

This episode is a soft re-entry into the new year—warm, reflective, and real. If the holidays left you feeling full, tired, or a little wrung out, this one is a reminder that rest counts, survival is enough, and sometimes the best way forward is to slow down first.

Links:
Maison de Frederic (Instagram)
Sanary-sur-Mer

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review if you’re enjoying the show, and thank you for being a part of our journey.

Contact info:

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@the_eptons

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode of Away We Go We Go, Sophie and Jordan sit down with Maddie and Shelby to unpack what it really looks like to move abroad—not just the highlight reel, but the growth, discomfort, and unexpected joy that come with it. From having limited travel experience to packing up their entire lives and relocating to London, Maddie and Shelby share how one job opportunity turned into a four-year adventure filled with learning, resilience, and confidence-building moments. They reflect on those early days of culture shock, navigating visas, finding a place to live, and realizing just how big (and overwhelming) London can feel at first.

The conversation dives into the realities of building community abroad, especially as adults, and how patience, vulnerability, and putting yourself out there are often the key to finding your people. Maddie opens up about creating friendships from scratch—through pub quizzes, meetups, and trial-and-error—while Shelby shares how work and shared interests helped him settle more quickly. Together, they talk candidly about how living abroad reshaped their relationship, strengthened communication, and taught them how to support each other through uncertainty and stress.

They also reflect on travel as a catalyst for growth, including Maddie’s goal of visiting 30 countries before turning 30, unforgettable trips across Europe, and learning to handle when plans go sideways. This episode is an honest, approachable reminder that moving abroad isn’t about perfection or constant excitement—it’s about showing up, staying open, and allowing discomfort to shape who you become. Whether you’re dreaming of life abroad or simply craving a mindset shift, this conversation offers both inspiration and reassurance.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review if you’re enjoying the show, and thank you for being a part of our journey.

Contact info:

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@the_eptons

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this festive episode, Sophie and Jordan cozy up on the couch to share what the holiday season looks like in France, especially now that their twins are old enough to feel the magic. They paint a vivid picture of Aix-en-Provence in December—from the glowing Christmas markets and mulled wine stands along the Cours Mirabeau to carolers, children’s rides, raclette vendors, and beautifully decorated shops throughout the city. They also preview their upcoming plans, including the Christmas market at Château de Mille, a family dinner at La Mas Gorde, and finally visiting the famous holiday lights of Sanary-sur-mer.

They dive into some uniquely Provençal traditions like Les Treize Desserts and artisan-made santons, and reflect on how French Christmas Eve celebrations differ from what they grew up with in the U.S. The two talk about blending traditions—embracing rich French holiday dishes, preparing for Hanukkah with latkes and kugel, and keeping a few American staples like green bean casserole on the table.

The episode closes with a look at what it feels like to raise kids abroad during the holidays and how their community in France has made this season feel especially meaningful. It’s a warm, easygoing chapter full of family energy, cultural discovery, and holiday spirit.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review if you’re enjoying the show, and thank you for being a part of our journey.

Contact info:

Instagram:

@the_eptons

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-