Episode•September 3, 2024•12 min

Tiffany’s Big Moves: Exiting PhD, Embracing Jamaican Life, and African Volunteer Work | Ep. 333

Tiffany Grant reconnects with her audience after a significant hiatus in this heartfelt episode of Tiffany's Take. Tune in as Tiffany opens up about her life transitions, including why she left her PhD program, her bold move from the U.S. to Jamaica, and her inspiring volunteer experience in Guinea. Tiffany delves deep into the complexities of her health journey, the impact of lifestyle changes, and her newfound perspectives on simpler living. Key Points Tiffany’s reasons for leaving her PhD program in social work. Her life-altering move to Jamaica and the positive changes it has brought. The health issues that motivated her to relocate and the remarkable improvements since her move. A glimpse into her volunteer work in Guinea, helping small business owners and entrepreneurs. The profound cultural connections between Jamaica and Guinea, and the emphasis on community in both places. Encouragement for listeners to visit Africa and explore different lifestyles. Exciting content plans moving forward and a call-to-action for listeners to submit questions. Connect with Tiffany Website: https://www.moneytalkwitht.com Facebook: Money Talk With Tiff Twitter: @moneytalkwitht Instagram: @moneytalkwitht LinkedIn: Tiffany Grant YouTube: Money Talk With Tiff Pinterest: @moneytalkwitht TikTok: @moneytalkwitht Have any questions for Tiffany? Want to know more about her life updates or need some financial advice? Send in your questions through the website! And don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review if you enjoyed the episode. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

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Key Takeaways

1
Leaving a PhD program can be the right decision when goals shift
Tiffany quit her social work PhD because she no longer wanted to become a tenured professor
The program was in-person and no longer aligned with her new plans to move abroad
She emphasizes that finishing what you start isn't always the best path when priorities change
2
Health issues can be dramatically improved by changing environment and lifestyle
Tiffany experienced unexplained heart, blood pressure, and swelling issues in the US that doctors couldn't diagnose
Her symptoms resolved after moving abroad and stopping blood pressure medication
She attributes the improvement to differences in food, environment, and lifestyle outside the US
3
Simple living abroad can be more fulfilling than material accumulation
Tiffany moved to Jamaica with just suitcases and one barrel of food
She now hand-washes clothes and hangs them to dry, embracing simpler living
She reports no desire to accumulate possessions again and finds community-based living more satisfying
4
Cultural connections exist between Jamaica and West Africa
Tiffany observed strong similarities in food, culture, and community values between Jamaica and Guinea
Both places emphasize community support where 'everybody helps everybody'
She encourages Black Americans to visit Africa for eye-opening experiences

Intro

After a hiatus since April 30th, Tiffany Grant returns to share major life updates including leaving her PhD program, moving abroad, and volunteering in Africa.
Tiffany Grant is a financial coach, podcaster, and content creator behind Money Talk With Tiff who helps listeners with money, business, and career questions.

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– Opening and Hiatus Explanation

Tiffany explains the long break since April 30th and promises to share life updates about why she's been away.

I haven't recorded all summer. So this is my first time recording.
– Tiffany

– Leaving the PhD Program

Tiffany quit her PhD in social work around April after deciding she no longer wanted to be a tenured professor.

I'm one of those types of people where once I put my mind to something, I want to finish it out. And making that decision was very difficult, but that ended up being the best decision for me in this season of my life.
– Tiffany

The program was in-person and didn't align with her plans to move abroad.

– Moving to Jamaica

Tiffany moved outside the US to Jamaica with her two youngest children, leaving her oldest son in high school in the US.

It is the best decision I have ever made in my life. It was the most difficult because I have only lived in the US my entire life.
– Tiffany

Health concerns were a major factor - her symptoms improved dramatically after leaving the US food and environment.

– Volunteer Work in Guinea

Tiffany spent two weeks in Guinea through Windrock International helping small business owners create business plans and goals.

I highly recommend that everybody, especially Black Americans, take a trip to Africa, y'all, at some point in your life, because it was a very eye-opening experience.
– Tiffany

She observed strong cultural connections between Guinea and Jamaica in food, culture, and community values.

– Future Content and Call to Action

Tiffany plans to create content about being an expat and moving abroad, and invites listeners to submit questions.

Send me a message on moneytalkwitht.com and I can start creating content around that as well.
– Tiffany

She encourages listeners to subscribe, share, and leave reviews.

Resources

Topics

personal developmentcareer changeexpat lifehealth and wellnesscultural connectionssimple livingvolunteeringAfrica travelcommunity livingfinancial coaching