Doing Italy: Life Lessons from a Female Founder with Thea Duncan

In this episode of the Armchair Expat podcast, Shannon chats with Thea Duncan, the founder of Doing Italy. The conversation explores Thea's journey to Italy, her love for the culture, and how she helps others navigate the process of moving to Italy. Thea shares her experiences with intuition, the impact of COVID-19 on her career, and practical advice for those looking to relocate to Italy, including visa options and common mistakes to avoid. The discussion also highlights the importance of building community and integrating into Italian society. In this conversation, Thea shares her experiences of living in Italy, discussing cultural identity, parenting, and the nuances of the Italian real estate market. She reflects on her journey as a Black woman in Italy, the joys and challenges of raising a child in a different culture, and the complexities of buying property as an expatriate. Thea emphasizes the importance of curiosity, community, and taking small steps towards change, encouraging listeners to embrace their fears and pursue their dreams of living abroad.

Takeaways

• Intuition is a powerful compass. Thea followed inner nudges—not a master plan—and built a life in Italy because of it.
• You do need a visa to move to Italy. From student to digital nomad, understanding your options is essential.
• Speaking Italian matters. Language skills aren’t just helpful—they’re often necessary for work and connection.
• The job market isn’t like the U.S. Lower salaries, but higher stability—know what you’re walking into.
• Buying property won’t get you residency. Italy isn’t a “buy to stay” country. Don’t fall for the myth.
• Community is everything. From expat groups to local cafés, showing up with curiosity opens doors.
• Raising kids in Italy is beautifully communal. From pregnancy perks to pesto made by Nona—Italy moms differently.
• Fear fades when you take the next right step. Thea’s advice? Don’t wait for certainty. Start with action.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Thea's Journey

01:19 Discovering Italy: A Love Story

06:03 Intuition and Life Decisions

11:44 Starting 'Doing Italy' During COVID

15:08 Navigating the Path to Italy

16:13 Visa Options for Moving to Italy

23:42 Common Mistakes When Moving to Italy

29:40 Building Community in Italy

34:39 Cultural Curiosity and Identity in Italy

37:15 Raising a Child in Italy: A Personal Journey

44:01 Navigating the Italian Real Estate Market

56:28 Embracing Change: Moving to Italy and Overcoming Fear

Connect with Thea

Website: https://www.doingitaly.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitaly/

Books Referenced:

Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential by Caroline Myss

The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss

Armchair Expat is hosted by Shannon Acton, founder and Chief Bargain Hunter of Bargain Homes Abroad

• Follow on Instagram @bargainhomesabroad
• Visit our Website: https://www.bargainhomesabroad.co
• Subscribe to our E-Mail Digest: https://www.bargainhomesabroad.co/subscribe
• Join for VIP Access: https://www.bargainhomesabroad.co/membership

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and leave a review. It helps us reach more future expats and keep these stories coming.

ENTER REVIEW CONTEST: https://www.bargainhomesabroad.co/reviews

If you're interested in sponsoring or partnering with Armchair Expat, please reach out to Shannon at the following email: info AT bargain-homes DOT com