Garrett Vanderwielen—better known as @tallredbeard—joins Mickelle to share his story of building a life abroad: the humor, the heartbreak, and the identity you rewrite along the way. Raised in California by proud Dutch grandparents, Garrett calls himself “Dutch by blood, culturally American,” and it shows—in the stories he inherited, and the ones he’s authoring now in Amsterdam.

His move to the Netherlands began as a partner-visa leap and quickly became a crucible: a breakup, visa limbo, and six months of bouncing between spare rooms. What emerged was resilience, community, and a reclaimed main-character energy. Improv at Boom Chicago cracked open a new circle; TikTok turned curiosity into a craft. His channel blends wit with research, affection with accountability—whether he’s celebrating bike culture and the perfect herring stand or navigating heavier history with care.

In this episode

• Reverse immigration and identity: “Dutch by blood, culturally American” and the power of inherited stories
• Visa dynamics and rupture: the partner-visa power shift, a breakup abroad, and rebuilding from zero
• Finding your people fast: saying yes to improv (Boom Chicago) and creating The Welcome Distraction
• Creator craft that works: iterate, don’t be precious, and let feedback (even spicy comments) refine the work
• Affection and accountability: holding love for Dutch life alongside honest looks at history and directness

Where to find Garrett

• Social: @tallredbeard on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram
• Live: The Welcome Distraction (improv shows in Amsterdam; see his socials for dates)
• Books: 365 Dutch Facts (coming soon)
• Comics: Sadie's Sword on Amazon

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