# 141 - Spain, Suffering, and Self-Compassion (w / Melissa Parks)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/spain-to-go-1855923/141-spain-suffering-and-self-compassion-w-melissa-parks
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/spain-to-go-1855923/141-spain-suffering-and-self-compassion-w-melissa-parks.md
Podcast: [Spain To Go](https://stenobird.com/podcast/spain-to-go-1855923)
Published: 2026-05-21T17:49:13+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spain/episodes/141---Spain--Suffering--and-Self-Compassion-w--Melissa-Parks-e3jn6hr
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/30a40468/podcast/play/120346619/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-4-21%2F424631199-44100-2-c31d6da447693.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/spain-to-go-1855923/episodes/141-spain-suffering-and-self-compassion-w-melissa-parks
Duration seconds: 2593

## Resource

An interview with expat therapist (and therapist for expats) Melissa Parks. Melissa is the author of "A Compassionate Mess: a Therapist, Her Monsters, and a Journey to Self-Acceptance" which comes out in June 2026. She lived in Madrid, Spain, for several years – that's where we met. In this episode we talk about navigating life abroad: moving for love, rebuilding after breakups, finding a sense of home, identity changes when you move abroad, and much more. Get a copy of Melissa's book on Amazon starting June 23, or sign up for her notifications for more information at https://melissaparks.com/memoir/ Hungry? In Spain? Get yourself a food tour in Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla or San Sebastian with my friends at Devour Tours, check out the options at https://expatmadrid.com/devour/ Follow Melissa on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/melissaparksphd/ Or just check out her website for much more. Also, listen to my episode "Finding Happiness Abroad" for further thoughts on feeling at home and life abroad generally. Thanks for listening!

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## Transcript

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