Linda Mueller - The Expat Partner Coach

I'm thrilled to share that International Women in Chicago has been named Chicago's Best Networking Community in Chicago Reader’s Best of Chicago 2025!

This is a tribute to the dedication and efforts of our members who show up each month by participating in our Facebook Group, attending and planning member events and so much more.

What started out as my personal passion project during my expat days in Tokyo has grown to nearly 500 members under the care of a group of collaborative and inclusive women who give more than they take from our community.

IWC connects women in and from Chicago to form friendships, support each other and enjoy all that Chicago has to offer. If you are a woman in/from Chicago who would like to be an active member of our community, join and follow us via the links below or DM me for more info. We'd love to have you join us!

Join us on Facebook! (Tap link above)

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/internationalwomeninchicago?igsh=YXlvZHpnMTRhbThs&utm_source=qr

Sending big thanks to all who voted for us, as well as to Chicago Reader for this honor. Learn more about Chicago’s Best arts/culture, shops, restaurants, nightlife, sports and more in the March 2026 edition of Chicago Reader.

https://chicagoreader.com/best-of-chicago-2025/

Once again, International Women in Chicago (IWC) has been nominated for Top 5 Best Networking Community/Organizations in the Chicago Reader Best of Chicago 2025 City Life category!

Thank you for everyone who voted to nominate us.😍

Please vote for IWC in the final round to help us win the top spot: https://chicagoreader.com/best-of-chicago-2025-city-life/

Good News! Voting is very easy this year. No need to register or provide any personal information.

1. Tap the link above and scroll down about half way through the category list to the Best Networking Community/Organization category

2. Select International Women in Chicago & hit SUBMIT after voting.

Winning this ‘Best of Chicago’ honor would increase awareness of IWC throughout Chicago and beyond - encouraging even more fabulous globally-minded women to join us!

If you aren’t familiar with IWC, here’s the backstory: IWC is my passion project - a free, fun and welcoming community for ALL women in Chicago. (We define ‘international’ very loosely here!)

IWC is a thriving virtual and in-person community of nearly 500 women where engagement runs high, friendships form, members plan events to help each other enjoy all that Chicago has to offer, support/resources flow and fun is had.

This is exactly the type of community I wish I had during each of my 7 international relocations: 🇺🇸🇯🇵🇺🇸🇯🇵🇺🇸🇦🇪🇬🇧🇺🇸 (and even during my domestic relocations!)

All women in/from Chicago are invited to join our International Women in Chicago Facebook Group and/or our email list. (DM me to join the email list)

You are also welcome to follow us on Instagram to learn more.

https://www.instagram.com/internationalwomeninchicago

Thank you for your support!!

PS: A special shout out to IWC member Tanja Pleis who has also been nominated for Top 5 Best Photographers in the Arts & Culture Category!

May seems like the perfect time to talk about support for the globally mobile! So many people are on the move - expatriating, repatriating and everything in between.

Participating in May on the Move 2025 has reminded me that, while our journeys are unique, we face many of the same challenges.

There is no reason to face them alone. Help is out there in the form of communities, books, podcasts and professionals - certified coaches & licensed therapists - who are trained to support you.

Curious about coaching? What would you like to know?

I recently returned to the Nomadic Diaries Podcast to chat with about life coaching for the globally mobile.

We chatted about:
*Why high-achievers also need coaches
*The real pressures on expat partners
*Coping Strategies for accompanying partners
*Identity, home and belonging
*Technology & global coaching for international women
*Coaching vs. Therapy: What’s the Difference?***
*When to seek a coach

If your questions aren’t all answered in this episode (link in bio), DM me to set up a chat so that I can finish the job!

***To learn more about therapy for the globally mobile, don’t miss the April 8 episode with licensed clinical psychologist and ATCK Sally McGregor of .psychology.

Find these episodes and more at NomadicDiariesPodcast.com

May 20, 2025: Unpacking Transitions: Coaching for Expats & the Globally Mobile with Linda Mueller

April 8, 2025: Unpacking Your Emotional Suitcase: Therapy for the Globally Mobile with Dr. Sally McGregor

And...to read about the international experiences of others, search for on Instagram. It’s never too late to read, ❤️, comment or post. We’d love to see you there!

While you are there, check out creator .

has always meant action and movement to me - the next step.

➡️High school >>>College>>>Graduate school>>>Employment
➡️Study abroad>>>Travel>>>Live & Work Abroad
➡️Date>>>Get Married>>>Have a baby>>>Raise a child

Always building and growing - chasing the next opportunity.

I’ve been on the go my whole life. Before I was 10, my family had lived in 5 towns in 4 states. Since I left home for college, I’ve lived in 12 cities in four countries.

Making 7 international relocations in/out of the U.S. over 13 years was more ‘forward’ than I ever could have imagined for myself. It was exhilarating and exhausting. I know many of you can relate.

This year, I decided that instead of MOVING forward, I’m going to FACE forward and stay still. Instead of building, I’m enjoying what is already here.

The photo below is from an outdoor yoga class I did in the middle of the day earlier this week. The air was cool with a slight breeze. The sun was warm. I could hear birds chirping. With my eyes closed, it almost felt like I was on a beach. It only lasted a few seconds until the city sounds brought me back to reality, but it was really lovely.

I’m still coaching, curating International Women in Chicago and, of course, I wouldn’t miss . I’ve just streamlined my efforts and I am moving at a slower pace with much less social media.

What does FORWARD look like for you this year?

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I’m thrilled to be hosting as a contribution to Catriona Turner’s . Thank you to Catriona and all of our co-hosts for creating an inviting space for connection and reflection. It’s so much fun.

Follow the co-hosts on Instagram so that you don’t miss a thing!










More info & an an invitation to join us for :

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJKWyBSuUkO/?igsh=M3ZydDFjYjk1dWEz

I’m back on Instagram for ! I wouldn’t miss it and I hope you’ll join us!

MotM was created by author & Tedx speaker Catriona Turner Books and I’m thrilled to be joining her and six other experienced international women to co-host the MOVEMENT she leads.

If you read my May newsletter, you know what it’s meant to me personally and how I’ve benefitted from it. I wish the same for you!

Details about MotM are in the images below and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJKWyBSuUkO/?igsh=M3ZydDFjYjk1dWEz

Looking forward to spending May with you! (And…if you’d like to read my MotM reflections in my newsletter, DM me to receive it.)

The Mochinut craze hit IWC this week!

Members met in 🇮🇹Little Italy🇮🇹 to enjoy MOCHINUT delicacies. Donuts*, bubble tea, corn dogs, fluffy egg sandwiches and more were tasted, debated and - of course - photographed. Thanks for the invite and hospitality, !

We will be back to explore the neighborhood once the public bocce courts and Mario's Italian Lemonade open for Spring.

Join International Women in Chicago for our next outing! All women in/from Chicago are welcome.

*The Infatuation recently included Mochinut donuts in its “Best Donuts in Chicago” list.

What a night! International Women in Chicago members gathered at The Arts Club of Chicago to watch The M Factor - the first documentary about the health crisis faced by millions of women going through menopause.

Midlife Upgrade gathered the who’s who of women’s health to educate and empower women to break the stigma around menopause and aging.

And…what a sponsor gift bag! IWC’s own Tanja Pleis Photography was a sponsor.

If you are a woman in/from Chicago, join us next time!

What comes to mind when you think of moving home from abroad? Do tell!

In my experience as a 6-time repat and coach for international women, I’ve learned that repatriation is an intense, yet often overlooked, phase of international life - one that many dread!

It doesn’t have to be that way! That's why Doreen Cumberford and I partnered to explore the topic and provide insight and inspiration to help you turn your repatriation into a life reboot.

The result - Nomadic Diaries: The Re-Entry Series - is now live wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!

This 30-episode podcast series offers fresh insights, practical wisdom and even some entertainment that you will find useful whether you are:

🌍 Planning or have already experienced a move “home”

🌏 Blissfully living abroad with a return floating at some point in your future

🌎 Simply curious about the complexities of cross-cultural living

To make it simple to access the wealth of information included in the series, we created The Re-Entry Series Episode & Resource Guide, which you can download here: https://www.theexpatpartnercoach.com/repatriation

The guide includes live links so you can easily:
🌟Access each episode at your convenience
🌟Learn about and connect with our expert guests
🌟Locate the resources mentioned in each episode without having to ✍️ while listening.

Enjoy!

I recently bonded with Tina during our conversation on her internationallovestory Podcast. We chatted about the messy, emotional ride of an identity crisis that often occurs when you move abroad for your partner.

Have a listen to learn:
*How I transitioned from corporate hustle to embracing my “unscripted” expat life
*The raw truth about feeling lost in a new culture
*Actionable tips to OWN your identity, even when everything feels upside down

Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/89-reinventing-yourself-abroad-how-to-navigate-an/id1514145436?i=1000700915380

If you’ve lost your sense of self and want help writing your next chapter, please set up a free 30-minute call with me to chat about how coaching can help you gain the clarity and direction needed to create a life that you love. You don’t have to do it alone. https://theexpatpartnercoachcalendar.as.me/schedule/af3feada/appointment/23294478/calendar/5587482

AND for those of you in an intercultural relationship…check out Christina’s Intercultural Couple Community where you will get guidance on how to thrive in love and life abroad. https://beacons.ai/internationallovestory?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYIdoBxcIElAsUHbWCkMe_iXGpxxy1lPZl53mzSuj3myYSt3kMjM95Up0k_aem_u24pD3I7e5mIg1Ktx8on7A

#89 Reinventing Yourself Abroad: How to Navigate an Identity Crisis After Moving Abroad Podcast Episode · International Love Story · 03/26/2025 · 53m