74. Starting Over on a New Continent with Carolina Freeman
What does it actually take to leave behind everything you've built — your career, your country, your circle — and start over from scratch? Carolina Freeman did exactly that when she moved from Argentina to Wichita, and what she found on the other side is a story about identity, resilience, and the courage to finally live life on your own terms. Carolina is the chef and owner of Argentina's Empanadas in Wichita, Kansas — and she is one of those rare people whose wisdom hits you soul deep. In this conversation, we talk about the grief of starting over, the surprising difficulty of making friends as an adult, and why the journey itself is the actual reward. HIGHLIGHTS Why moving around as a child builds the kind of resilience that sticks with you into adulthood — and how to give kids that same gift without leaving the country The emotional reality of immigrating as an adult: leaving behind a career, a neighborhood, a university identity, and friendships — and arriving somewhere no one knows your story Why making friends past 35 is genuinely hard (and why it has nothing to do with you) The two types of people you'll find after 40: those who are completely settled, and those who are just starting to discover who they really are How Carolina left a career in HR to build a business that bridges her past and her present Why the second act isn't about age — it's about waking up and taking agency over the life you actually want The difference between chasing an end result and learning to find reward in the daily process The emotional nakedness of entrepreneurship — and why feeling your emotions is not weakness, it's data The concept of "emotional agility" from Harvard psychologist Susan David and how using emotions as information can guide better decisions Why success, for Carolina, means freedom, harmony, and peace — not a yacht How small, consistent action — a "grain of salt" every day — is what builds something big over time CHAPTERS 0:00 — Welcome 1:50 — Second Acts and Identity 3:25 — Moving to Wichita 4:35 — Culture Shock and Language 5:35 — Resilience Through Change 7:22 — Making Friends as Adults 9:46 — Defining the Second Act 10:57 — From HR to Empanadas 13:02 — Authenticity and Acceptance 14:15 — Loneliness and Starting Over 16:22 — Community-Driven Business 17:39 — Taking the Leap 19:07 — Journey Over Outcome 20:34 — Live How You Want 22:26 — Show Up Daily 24:05 — Support and Emotions 27:32 — Emotional Agility Tools 29:42 — Redefining Success 31:17 — Freedom and Brand Legacy 33:09 — What's Next and Where to Follow RESOURCES MENTIONED Argentina's Empanadas — Instagram | Facebook | Location: Clifton Square, College Hill, Wichita, KS | Food truck at the Saturday Farmer's Market Want to learn more? The Thread Be sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedIn This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network . Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.