THE EXPAT FILES SHOW #1492, FRI, JAN 30 (01-30-26)

THE EXPAT FILES SHOW #1492, FRI, JAN 30 (01-30-26)

Author: Progressive Radio Network January 30, 2026 Duration: 28:00
#1-  My personal history of being scammed in Latin America (by popular listener demand): Yes, we all get scammed in our lifetimes and have the scars to prove it, some more than others but hopefully we learn. There are bad people out there, though sometimes we're asking for it. We're just stupid , gullible, unlucky or ill-informed and thus become marks. Since no one is 100% immune from scams, before you start crying and whining about your own history of being clipped, you’ll want to hear this story…   #2- Beware!!! With silver at over 100 bucks an ounce and gold over 5000, if you are lucky enough to have some, what are you supposed to do with it?  It’s a dangerous time to buy, especially when there are tons of near perfect counterfeits out there on ebay and other online sites…   #3- Will Latin Americans ever accept self-driving cars and robots? Will the technology ever make it down to Latin America in a meaningful way?   #4- Our own Expat Captain Mango has developed a unique one-on-one Crypto consulting and training service (he’s been deep into crypto since 2013). To get started, email him at: bewarecaptainmango@gmail.com 

Ever wondered what it actually takes to build a life far from familiar shores? The Expat Files: Living in Latin America moves beyond glossy travel brochures and dives into the nuanced, daily realities of making a home across the border. Hosted by longtime resident John Mueller, this podcast from the Progressive Radio Network offers an honest, ground-level view. Conversations here explore the complexities of navigating new bureaucracies, finding community, and the subtle cultural shifts that define an expatriate experience. You’ll hear from people who’ve made the leap-some for work, others seeking retirement, many just chasing a different rhythm of life. Each episode unpacks practical challenges alongside personal reflections, covering everything from local business etiquette and housing markets to the simple joy of discovering a neighborhood mercado. It’s a resource for the curious and a companion for those already packing their bags, stripping away the romance to reveal the authentic, sometimes messy, always fascinating process of adaptation. Tune in for stories that are less about postcards and more about the profound, everyday adventure of planting roots in a new world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 36

The Expat Files: Living in Latin America
Podcast Episodes
EXPAT FILES SHOW #1521 FRI, AUG 21 (08-21-26): [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:00
Johnny’supcoming week-long “Latin American Insider Seminar” will be in Guatemala and El Salvador (November 13–20, 2026). For details go to Expatplanb.com or click on: https://www.expatplanb.com/expat-insider-seminar-nov-…
THE EXPAT FILES SHOW #1520 FRI, AUG 14 (08-14-26): [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:00
Johnny announces his next one-week Latin American Insider seminar in Guatemala and El Salvador (November 14–20, 2026). He observes that most small tiendas, mini-marts, and wholesale businesses across Latin America are ow…
EXPAT FILES SHOW #1519 FRI, AUG 07 (08-07-26) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:00
· Avoid Facebook expat groups — they create a dependency bubble full of know-it-alls, sellers, and political ranting. · WhatsApp is essential in Latin America; without it you’re basically cut off from daily life. · Mache…
Expat Files - #1518 FRI, JULY 31 (07-31-26): [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:00
#1- More on that crazy Guatemalan Jade mining story: #2- Proof why Latin American governments can never be trusted: Oh, and the US govt is even worse…. #3- The problem with Miami mailbox forwarding services: #4- What you…
EXPAT FILES SHOW #1517, FRI, JULY 24 - 07-24-26: [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:00
#1- DYK that severe Air B&B restrictions are in the works in most all Latin American countries? So, as govts. crack down, Gringos and expats must be aware that owning an Airbnb is NOT a long term good or sure investment…
EXPAT FILES SHOW #1516, FRI, JULY 17 (07-17-26) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:00
#1- Dumb and dumber in Latin America: #2- A word about physical books and bookstores in Latin America: #3- What you really need to know about phone and internet plans in Latin America: #4- What the Narcoculture influence…
EXPAT FILES SHOW #1515, FRI, JULY 10 (07-10-26): [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:00
#1- To be fat or obese in Latin America: #2- Ozempic and GLP-1’s have arrived in Latin America: Is that a good or bad thing? Do the locals even understand it? #3- Brownouts, blackouts and power outages in Latin America A…
The Expat Files: #1514, FRI, JULY 03 (07-03-26) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:00
Descriptions - #1- When your rudimentary Spanish suddenly allows you to hear things you are not supposed to hear: #2- Living super cheap in the Latin American boonies: #3- The govt in Ecuador is more corrupt than you can…
EXPAT FILES SHOW #1513, FRI, JUNE 26 (06-26-26): [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:00
#1- The preponderance of hacks and data breaches in Latin America and how they affect gringos and Expats: #2- Scammers impersonating me trying to sell crap in my name: #3- The Latin American / Miami real estate connectio…
The Expat Files: #1512, FRI, JUNE 19 (06-19-26): [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:00
#1- What do Expat Files listeners have in common? #2- When legal Latinos living in the USA throw in the towel, get out of dodge, and move back to their home country: #3- Latin American “sweatshop” realities; #4- Lotterie…