Happy July!

Finally! A new newsletter from your friends at The Bittersweet Life.

Happy July to you!

It’s Katy from The Bittersweet Life podcast. (It’s been a while!) We hope you are discovering beautiful sights and ideas this summer, both on our show and in the world.

Thank you for reading our mini newsletter!

Tip: Go see what the birds are doing!

On the show, we often give this recommendation. It’s a short-hand encouragement to get out of your own head (and smartphone) and explore the wider world instead. Noticing the birds is an easy way to do this. They already live right beside you, but their life is extraordinarily different from yours.

One thing that makes watching backyard birds more magical is thinking of them as your neighbors. That’s not a random chickadee you are seeing. That’s your chickadee. They live near you! You are likely seeing the same bird over and over again. Go ahead and give it a name if you like. :)

Tip: Investigate Apple Podcast problems

Lately, some Apple Podcast listeners have been reporting a glitch. It looks like for some users, no new Bittersweet Life episodes have aired since May 11th. That shouldn’t be the case. Like usual, we’ve been putting out weekly shows.

If you’ve encountered this problem, try unsubscribing and resubscribing to the show, or even uninstalling and reinstalling the app. You could also make sure your Apple Podcasts app is updated to the latest edition.

Alternatively, may we suggest that you switch podcast apps. Tiffany and I both love the Overcast Podcast App and have never had a single problem with it.

Tip: Give yourself something to look forward to

This November, we invite you to take one of the best vacations of your life!

The Bittersweet Life Roman Adventure is an unforgettable exploration of Rome’s secret side. This trip will expand your understanding of history, art, and human civilization. It will also make you feel like a kid again: exploring hidden passageways, cracking open dusty doors, discovering forgotten gardens and hidey-holes…

Let us be your guides for a week of learning and joy from November 1st-7th, 2026. There are only four rooms are left (of eight) for this exclusive, delightful trip.

Best of all, we’re offering a July discount: Come alone for $7500 or bring a friend for $9000.

Find all the trip details here.

Have questions? Write us at bittersweetlifepodcast@gmail.com.

Task: Give yourself a hug from us for supporting my sister Dana

Many of you have been following along as my sister Dana lives with a Stage 4 Glioblastoma brain cancer. There aren’t thanks enough for all the prayers, kind words and notes you’ve sent, not to mention the donations made to her GoFundMe.

This diagnosis is a horrible one, but its little unexpected blessings too. The loving support of the Bittersweet Life community is a fine example. Thank you for listening to Dana on the show and finding her so inspiring and wise. Your feedback and love has been uplifting to her and to us. What an immense gift.

If you haven’t heard Dana explaining about how she keeps her mind in a positive place while dealing with impossibly hard things, we highly recommend listening to Episode 635: Dana’s Koalas. Be sure to share it with anyone in your life who could benefit from Dana’s outlook.

Read the full story of Dana’s diagnosis here.

Thank you for reading our little newsletter. Feel free to let us know what you’d like to read about in future dispatches.

Much love from Seattle,

Katy (& Tiffany)