What does it take to walk away from the American Dream and reinvent yourself south of the border? And why does the Mexican concept of "ahorita" drive so many newly arrived expats crazy?

In Episode 8 of Navigating Mexico, Mike Stoltz takes the show on the road to an intimate literary writers' conference in Puerto Vallarta to tackle the realities of culture shock, grief, and expat life. Joined by a diverse panel of authors and creatives, we examine the transition to a new life in Mexico from every angle:

• Maria Velasquez Ammerman (Former Fortune 500 professional and dual citizen) shares her deeply personal journey of leaving the corporate world after an unexpected tragedy, and how life in a smaller town forced her to reevaluate her future.

  
  

• Valerie Branch (Writer, former stand-up comedian, and radio personality) explores her wild transition from the San Francisco comedy scene to living in the lush, remote jungle of Yelapa.

  
  

• Vincent (Award-winning novelist and author of 10 books) discusses the challenges of writing abroad, drawing inspiration from the vibrant "gay West Hollywood of Mexico," and the importance of stepping outside the typical expat bubble.

  
  

In the second half, we dive into our segment, Lost in Translation, alongside co-host Jesse Ruiz, deciphering the hilarious and confusing quirks of Mexican Spanish. We unpack the extreme elasticity of time in Mexico and the cultural etiquette behind everyday expressions like ahorita, mande, and con permiso.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe today and stay one step ahead on your journey through Mexico!

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Is bullfighting a sacred art form steeped in honor, or simply normalized cruelty masquerading as culture? And why do so many expats fail when trying to build a life in Mexico?

In Episode 7 of Navigating Mexico, Mike Stoltz tackles one of Latin America's most deeply polarizing traditions: the corrida de toros. Joined by a diverse panel of experts, we examine this controversial blood sport from every angle:

• • Carlos Rangel (Investigative Journalist, Newsweek en Español) shares his firsthand immersion into the world of matadors and the shocking paradox of how bullfighters revere the animals they kill.

  • Dr. Beatriz Vanda Cantón (Professor of Veterinary Pathology and Bioethics at UNAM) debunks common myths about adrenaline numbing the pain, breaking down the exact physiological and neurological trauma the bull endures.

  • Prof. Stephen Neufeld (Historian and author of The Perilous Beast) explores how death became a commercial spectacle and what our fascination with violence says about society.

In the second half, serial entrepreneur Wendy North (MedMex Travel, Navigating Vallarta) joins the show for an honest reality check on expat life. We unpack why chasing a "Beverly Hills lifestyle on an Encino budget," fleeing problems back home, and hiding in the "expat bubble" lead so many newcomers straight to burnout.

Finally, we kick off our new segment, Lost in Translation, alongside Jessie Ruiz, deciphering the hilarious and confusing quirks of Mexican Spanish—including false friends like embarazada and why everything negative relates to madre while everything cool is padre.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.
Subscribe today and stay one step ahead on your journey through Mexico!

How are deadly immigration raids impacting America’s reputation abroad?

In this explosive episode of Navigating Mexico, host Mike Stoltz breaks down recent Pew Research data showing a dramatic shift in Mexican public opinion—where favorability toward the U.S. plummeted from 61% down to just 29%.

What’s driving this historic decline? We examine the surge in fatal enforcement stops, the deliberate lack of body cameras, and the struggle for federal accountability alongside two expert guests:

🔹 Verónica Cárdenas (Former Assistant Chief Counsel for ICE): Gives an insider’s look into why DHS oversight has been watered down, how dangerous traffic stops replaced standard procedure, and why agents aren't being held accountable.

🔹 Ruby Powers (Immigration Attorney): Unpacks the tragic case of Lorenzo Salgado Arreujo, contrasting official DHS statements against eyewitness accounts and video evidence from the scene.

⚠️ A must-listen episode for expats, legal minds, political analysts, and anyone following human rights and U.S.-Mexico relations.

🎧 Listen now, hit subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!

Why are Mexican citizens and global travelers waiting over a year just to secure a U.S. visitor visa? And how is this massive bureaucratic backlog costing the U.S. economy billions in lost tourism?

In Episode 5 of Navigating Mexico, host Mike Stoltz sits down with U.S. Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. They discuss the staggering wait times for U.S. visas, the real-world impact on families and tourist hubs like Las Vegas, and a new bipartisan bill designed to fix the broken system by redirecting passport fees.

We also explore how anti-immigrant rhetoric and political posturing are actively discouraging international travel and trade. Finally, Mike shares a personal story from election night in the South of France in 2008, reflecting on the realization that ultimately drove him to choose the expat life in Mexico.

In this episode, we cover:

• • [00:00] Welcome to Navigating Mexico & the 1-year visa wait time problem.

  • [02:00] Special Guest: Congresswoman Dina Titus joins the show.

  • [04:30] The numbers: 400+ day wait times in cities like Bogota, Mumbai, and Mexico City.

  • [06:00] How visa delays are crushing international tourism and local economies.

  • [08:00] The human cost: Grandparents missing weddings, graduations, and family events.

  • [10:15] The Bipartisan Solution: Using existing fees to hire staff and speed up processing.

  • [12:30] How political rhetoric (border walls, tariffs) impacts international relations.

  • [15:30] Expat Reflections: Why Mike left the U.S. for a life abroad.

Special Guest:

• • Congresswoman Dina Titus: Representative for Nevada's 1st Congressional District and Co-Chair of the Travel and Tourism Caucus.

Subscribe to Navigating Mexico for your essential guide to living your best life abroad—keeping you safe, informed, and one step ahead!

Welcome to Episode 4 of Navigating Mexico with Mike Stoltz! Today, we tackle a heavy but crucial topic before shifting gears to essential advice for US expats.

In our first segment, we dive into the murky and complex world of International Humanitarian Law. Following two highly controversial military actions—the tragic strike on the Minab girls' school in Iran and a "double tap" missile strike on a narco-boat in the Caribbean—we ask the hard questions. Were these war crimes, or tragic military negligence? We are joined by two heavyweights in military law: Prof. Gabor Rona (Cardozo School of Law) and Retired US Army Lt. Col. Geoffrey Corn (Texas Tech University). We discuss the alarming role of AI in selecting military targets, the Law of Armed Conflict, and what happens when civilian protection programs are cut.

Later in the show, we pivot to the upcoming US Midterm elections. David Shallenberger, Country Chair of Democrats Abroad in Mexico, breaks down exactly how US citizens living south of the border can request their ballots and ensure their voices are heard.

In this episode:

• • [00:00] Intro & The Minab Girls' School Strike.

  • [03:00] Prof. Gabor Rona on AI, Negligence vs. War Crimes.

  • [11:30] The "Double Tap" strike on narco-boats in the Caribbean.

  • [17:25] Lt. Col. Geoffrey Corn joins the debate on military targeting.

  • [27:44] David Shallenberger: Step-by-step guide to voting from Mexico.

🔗 Resources mentioned: Request your ballot at VotefromAbroad.org

Make sure to follow us to stay safe, informed, and one step ahead while living your best life in Mexico!

Are smartphones and TikTok destroying our ability to read and think deeply? In Episode 3 of Navigating Mexico, host Mike Stoltz tackles two massive cultural and health shifts impacting expats, parents, and global citizens today.

First, we host a panel of educators and literacy experts to discuss "The End of Reading." We explore the alarming drop in attention spans, the neurological impact of constant screen time, and how schools in both the US and Mexico are responding to the digital epidemic. Discover practical tips for digital detoxing and bringing books back into your family's life.

Later in the show, we shift to public health. Following a controversial US executive order aimed at splitting the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine due to alleged autism concerns, Mexican clinical immunologist Dr. Carlos Zuniga joins us. He debunks the debunked vaccine-autism myth, explains the dangers of delaying childhood immunizations, and contrasts US policy with Mexico’s current vaccination schedule.

In this episode, we cover:

• • [00:00] Welcome to Navigating Mexico.

  • [01:30] "The End of Reading": How screen time dropped from 2.5 minutes to 47 seconds.

  • [12:45] The failure of traditional schools and the push for competency-based learning.

  • [19:00] How government policies in Mexico and the US are trying to ban screens in schools.

  • [23:00] Public health segment: The US MMR vaccine split.

  • [26:00] Dr. Carlos Zuniga debunks the vaccine-autism connection.

  • [32:00] Mexico's vaccination schedule vs. the United States.

Special Guests:

• • Edna Ramirez Robles: Dept. Chair for International Studies, University of Guadalajara.

  • Rebecca Stolinga: Founder of Biblioteca Infantil Bilingüe in Puerto Vallarta.

  • Nick Martino: Director of Programs at Jobs for America's Graduates.

  • Dr. Carlos Zuniga: Clinical Immunologist in Mexico.

Subscribe to Navigating Mexico to stay safe, informed, and one step ahead while living your best life abroad!

In Episode 2 of Navigating Mexico, host Mike Stoltz navigates the complex financial and medical landscape of living abroad, while sharing a harrowing update from a colleague in Venezuela.

In this episode:

• • The 9.5% Interest Myth? Wealth Manager Karina Gonzalez (Capital Bank) joins tax experts Cindy Duchateau (BNC Tax) and Paula Blanco (Equilibrium) to discuss "Pagarés," tax withholdings, and the inflation adjustments that make Mexican banking unique.

  • The $10,000 Trap: Learn about FBAR compliance and why transferring money between your own accounts could trigger massive IRS fines.

  • World-Class Care: Why 700 expats rated Mexico’s healthcare as "Excellent." Heart specialist Dr. Cruz discusses the transition from the U.S. medical system to Mexico and the one "Binder" every expat must carry to save their life.

  • Venezuelan Ransom: A chilling follow-up on the "Doublet" earthquake. Mike reveals the story of a colleague targeted and held for a $2,500 ransom by local authorities simply for speaking English.

Welcome to the premiere episode of Navigating Mexico, the essential broadcast for expats and Anglophiles looking to stay safe, informed, and one step ahead.

In this jam-packed episode, host Mike Stoltz dives into the legal and digital realities of living abroad with expert guests:

• • Residency vs. Reality: Immigration Attorney Maria Lazareno (KL Mexico Solutions) reveals the #1 mistake foreigners make when buying property in Mexico and explains the truth about "Fideicomisos" (Bank Trusts) and the difference between Temporary and Permanent residency.

  • Digital Defense: Cybersecurity expert Cheyenne Quisenberry (PV Technology Solutions) breaks down a chilling real-life story of how 21,000 pesos were stolen in minutes after a phone theft. Learn why your physical SIM card is a liability and how switching to an eSIM could save your bank account.

  • On the Ground in Venezuela: Field correspondent Aldo Batista joins us from Venezuela to report on the devastating "Doublet" earthquake. From the humanitarian crisis to police censorship and the grim reality of a fashion designer now sewing body bags, this is the news you won't hear anywhere else.

Stay connected, stay informed, and navigate with confidence.