A few weeks ago, Charlie sat down to record what was meant to be a simple life update. What came out instead was a wonderfully chaotic reflection on unconditional love, dictators, flat whites, strip clubs, sewage leaks… and why he’s just left London.

If you enjoy honest, slightly unhinged British storytelling, this episode is for you.

From Unconditional Love to… Adolf Hitler?

The episode opens in classic Charlie style: a small, personal observation spirals into a big philosophical question.

He starts by reflecting on unconditional love — how being raised with it may have shaped his sense of security in relationships — and then wonders whether unconditional praise is always a good thing. Should children be loved no matter what? Or should positive behaviour be rewarded rather than existence itself?

Within minutes, he’s researching the childhood of Adolf Hitler.

Not to excuse him (he makes that very clear), but to explore the emotional environments that shape extreme personalities. What he finds is fascinating: one authoritarian, violent parent and one intensely doting, overprotective parent. Too much fear on one side. Too much adoration on the other.

The conclusion? Security doesn’t come from unconditional praise or strict discipline alone. It comes from consistent, predictable emotional responses.

It’s a surprisingly thoughtful start to what becomes a very different episode.

Me, Myself and… a Microphone

Before getting to London, Charlie explains the running joke about “me, myself and Irene” — a nod to the film Me, Myself & Irene and to his early days of podcasting.

Six years ago, he was spending hours alone in a soundproof cupboard, talking into a microphone. He felt like he had two versions of himself: Podcast Charlie and Real Life Charlie. Over time, those identities have merged — though he jokes about greeting shop assistants like they’re podcast listeners.

If you’ve ever felt slightly different in English compared to your native language, you’ll relate to this. Identity shifts. Context shapes us.

Why I Left London

Now to the main event.

After years of living abroad — Chile, the US, Germany, Australia — Charlie and his wife returned to south west London for three years. On paper, it made sense. Familiar culture. Friends. Home.

But something didn’t feel right.

He realised three key things:

1. Big city life wasn’t for him anymore

London’s size created friction. An hour on the Tube just to have dinner with friends. Endless borough-hopping. Always feeling like a visitor rather than a local.

2. The cost of living was crippling

With both of them newly self-employed, London felt financially heavy. More stress about money. Less mental freedom.

3. He missed cultural contrast

Living abroad had given him a constant sense of novelty. Subtle cultural differences. Language shifts. The small “kick” of feeling slightly outside your comfort zone. In the UK, that spark was missing.

And then there was the weather.

After four years in Sydney, he’s no longer willing to accept eight weeks of decent sunshine per year. Winter felt like hibernation.

So they made a bold decision: give up their flat, put their belongings in storage, pack the car (including a piano), and drive to Portugal.

The Romantic Road Trip (That Wasn’t)

They took the Eurotunnel under the English Channel (yes, you literally drive your car onto a train), crossed France over three days, and arrived in Porto feeling optimistic.

Then reality hit.

Their Airbnb was:

In the most pedestrianised nightlife zone imaginable

Surrounded by three nightclubs and five strip clubs

Unreachable by car

Without functioning high-speed WiFi

Occasionally flooded with sewage

Powered by electricity that cut out during storms

Unlocked, because the digital front door wouldn’t lock

On top of that, Storm Kristina, Storm Leonardo and Storm Marta decided to pay Porto a visit. Sideways rain. 100km/h winds. Power cuts. Not quite the sunny winter escape they’d imagined.

It’s peak British humour: escaping London drizzle only to upgrade to dramatic Portuguese storm systems.

But It’s Not All Doom

Despite the chaos, Charlie genuinely likes Porto.

It’s:

Beautiful, even in the rain

Slower paced

Full of incredible café culture

Packed with brunch spots

Home to dangerously good pasteis de nata (Portuguese custard tarts)

He gives a proper local tip: eat them in, not takeaway. Sprinkle cinnamon. Accept the love handles.

There’s also great coffee, co-working spaces, and — crucially for remote workers — excellent WiFi (when it works).

The Language Confusion

One of the most relatable parts of the episode is Charlie describing a supermarket interaction where he cycled through Portuguese, Spanish, English and German — all in one conversation.

He wants to practise Portuguese.

Locals respond in perfect English.

He feels guilty.

He switches languages.

Everyone gets confused.

It’s a lovely cultural insight into being an English speaker abroad — recognising the privilege of your language being a global lingua franca, while still wanting to respect the local one.

So… Was It the Right Decision?

It’s too early to say.

There’s frustration.

There’s rain.

There’s €25 laundry trips.

There’s comfort eating.

But there’s also novelty. Autonomy. Freedom. And that feeling of having chosen happiness over stability — again.

And perhaps that’s the deeper theme of this episode.

Charlie didn’t leave London because it was terrible. He left because it wasn’t right anymore. And sometimes, that’s reason enough.

If you enjoy real, unfiltered British storytelling — full of tangents, self-reflection, mild chaos, and very natural expressions — this episode is a brilliant one for your British English listening practice.

And if you ever find yourself moving countries with a piano in the back of your car, just remember one thing:

Hug the kerb.