5. The First Time I Met My Latino In-Laws: Language fails, birthday cake face-plants & the most humbling moment abroad

Welcome back to ESA MAN, the podcast for expats, travelers, and anyone navigating the wild ride of life in a new country.

In this episode, Kat takes you back to the very first time she met her Ecuadorian partner’s extended family—and let’s just say, it involved 30+ relatives, a surprise cake smash, salsa dancing, and giving a speech in Spanish when she barely spoke the language. 😳

Whether you’re dating someone from another culture, living abroad, or just trying not to embarrass yourself at family gatherings, you’re going to love this hilarious, raw, and super relatable story. In this episode, we talk:

• The nerves of meeting your in-laws (especially in another language)
• Latino family culture + the art of “dar palabras” (yes, you will give a speech)
• The struggle of small talk in Spanish
• Feeling like an adult but also like a total baby abroad
• Why these awkward, humbling moments are actually the best parts of expat life

🎂 From getting your face shoved in birthday cake to being forced into the salsa spotlight, this episode is full of laughs, lessons, and cultural chaos—in the best way.

Hit play for a feel-good, sweaty-palmed, laugh-out-loud memory that anyone living abroad can relate to.

Vámonos, baby. 💃