Meet Liz Krause And Sarah Young

We recently connected with Liz Krause And Sarah Young and have shared our conversation below.

Liz Krause and Sarah Young, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

Liz:

My resilience comes from a combination of two key factors: The first is being surrounded by a network of supportive and caring individuals. These people—friends, mentors, and colleagues—offer encouragement, perspective, and strength during difficult times, reminding me that I’m not alone.

The second is a deep belief in some of the well-worn truths. For example, I truly embrace the idea that “when one door closes, another one opens.” I’ve found that setbacks often lead to new opportunities, sometimes in unexpected ways. I also see both success and failure as rich sources of lessons for personal and professional growth. Every experience, whether it’s a triumph or a challenge, provides a chance to learn, adapt, and become stronger. It’s this mindset—along with the support of those around me—that keeps me moving forward, even when things get tough.

Sarah:

Resilience, for me, comes from embracing curiosity, navigating challenges, and finding purpose along the way. I’ve always been a free spirit—exploring diverse interests and stepping into the unknown makes me feel alive and fuels my zest for life. I’ve gained confidence by following my curiosity: taking extra classes purely for interest, starting businesses despite uncertainty, and traveling as much as possible to broaden my perspectives and nourish my soul. Resilience, for me, is always a work in progress, and practicing self-compassion has been invaluable during hard times.

Creating Better Abroad? with Liz embodies this resilience. Neither of us came into this project with a background in film, but our belief in its purpose—and the inspiring stories we’ve uncovered—has propelled us forward. Resilience thrives in having goals, and we’re deeply grateful for this journey, our partnership, our friendship, and the incredible support of our growing community. I am so very proud of us and how far we have come–and there is so much more ahead!

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Liz and Sarah:

We are up and coming documentary filmmakers embarking on our inaugural docuseries, Better Abroad?, which explores the lives of expats and immigrants around the world. Our series follows those who have crossed both physical and emotional boundaries in search of a better life abroad.

The idea for this project stemmed from a question that had been nagging both of us separately for years: Could life be better abroad? They say that the grass is greener where you water it, but what about external factors? Culture, politics, economics, values, lifestyle, language barriers, even weather? If we were to pack up our lives, our families, and leave all that is familiar to explore life elsewhere, would it be better? The more people we spoke with about this, the more we realized that this question is on a lot of people’s minds. So now, we are seeking the answer, and bringing viewers along as we explore the challenges and rewards of living in a new country. Thus, Better Abroad? was born.

Each episode offers an intimate look into the lives of individuals, couples, or families who have made the bold decision to start anew. As they share their stories, we delve into what led them to make such a life-changing move. We also explore the country they’ve chosen to call home, treating it as another character in the series. Each episode revolves around one personal journey, and together with the expats, viewers will explore the central question: Is it Better Abroad?

Our pilot episode was filmed in beautiful Vienna, Austria: voted the #1 most livable city the world for more than ten years in a row! If you would like to watch the trailer for a sneak peak into Josh and Taylor’s story, you can view it on our website: www.isitbetterabroad.com

We are so proud and elated to share that PBS has agreed to air our series! It is an honor to share our work on such a reputable and well respected platform. We have been casting for season one for about six months; and we are elated to have secured such a diverse and inspiring lineup from all over the globe. As one of our dear mentors told us before he passed, “These are stories worth telling.” -Gary Khammar

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Liz:

Curiosity: A fundamental quality that has propelled me forward is curiosity—about people, different cultures, and the world around me. This mindset has helped me adapt, grow, and approach challenges with an open heart and mind. Curiosity fuels exploration and innovation, and it’s critical for continual learning and growth. I find it fascinating every time I visit a new country or learn about a different culture—the way they solve problems, celebrate, and what holds the most value in their lives. Even the simplest aspects, like how they “do life,” intrigue me.

Adaptability: So outside of docuseries film making, I have been a social worker, life long humanitarian and nurse. In these roles, I’ve found myself in numerous situations where adaptability and humility have been essential. I’ve had the privilege of working with people from all walks of life—individuals from diverse social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. Each encounter has required me to adjust my approach, listen with empathy, and remain open to new perspectives. Whether I was providing care in a resource-limited setting, supporting someone through a personal crisis, or navigating complex cultural dynamics, the ability to adapt has been crucial. These experiences have taught me the importance of being both flexible and humble, recognizing that every person’s story is shaped by unique circumstances, and that learning from each interaction contributes to both personal and professional growth.

Collaboration: The balance of different skills and personalities has been a major reason behind the success of our project. Having a partner who complements you—someone who is the yin to your yang—has made all the difference. The combination of diverse strengths, whether in work habits or creative visions, can propel a project to new heights.

Sarah:

Flexibility, empathy, and an open mind are essential qualities. In unscripted storytelling, you’re navigating endless possibilities, vulnerable emotions, and constant surprises. We are being trusted with real people’s stories, and that is an incredible honor. There’s no room for judgment or prejudice–those qualities will only hold you back. Empathy and flexibility will help you adapt, connect, and honor the stories you tell. To develop these, immerse yourself in diverse perspectives, practice active listening and patience, and reflect on your biases to grow.

Open and respectful communication has been another key to our success thus far. I’m grateful for a team where we can share differing opinions and ideas openly. Sometimes making decisions takes more time than we anticipated; but in the end, moving forward with confidence and support from one-another is invaluable. Building this skill requires practicing honest conversations, fostering mutual respect, and focusing on collaboration over competition. Like Liz said, we are each other’s yin and yang, and this dynamic has really helped propel us forward many times over.

Finally, a genuine curiosity and passion for your subject is imperative. Outside of documentary filmmaking, I am a historian and I work in higher education. My love for travel and history are intertwined, as travel brings the stories of our past to life; and exploring the world and all of its beautiful people is like looking into a kalidascope–colorful, moving, diverse, and beautiful. Passion fuels perseverance and makes overcoming challenges more manageable. Liz and I started this journey as two friends with shared passions for good documentaries, real and honest human interest stories, world travel, and the love we have for our family and friends. We both sincerely want to know if life could be better abroad for ourselves and our families–and what better way to find out than creating this series? For those starting out, explore your interests deeply, stay curious, and find the joy in the process—your passion will naturally follow.

Advice for Those Early in Their Journey:

Sarah:

Embrace Discomfort: Get comfortable being uncomfortable! In the beginning, the unknown can feel really exciting and daunting at the same time; but it’s in that space of discomfort where so much growth happens. One of our mentors warmly told us in the beginning that it was probably a good thing that we didn’t know all the details of what we were getting ourselves into, because otherwise we might be scared off from the beginning. Two years in, and we are both so glad that we embraced the uncertain to pursue this dream. So, don’t shy away from difficult moments; lean into them and see them as opportunities to learn and evolve.

Liz:

Know Your Strengths, Acknowledge Your Gaps: It’s essential to understand both what you bring to the table and where you need help. Seek education and mentorship in areas where you’re less experienced, and don’t hesitate to build a team of experts who complement your skills. Surround yourself with people who can fill in the gaps and elevate your project. For us, we have been so fortunate to surround ourselves with wonderful producer mentors: Gary Khammar, Jeff Krebs, Fritz Freedman, Tom Park, Michael Alden and Karen Severns, who have many years and diverse experiences in the industry, and have been an invaluable wealth of knowledge and a wonderful sounding board for the big stuff and even the small details. For production, we have an amazing team of cinematographers and production teams who have helped make our idea into a reality. We could not be prouder to work with: Outpost Digital Cinema, Truce Studios, Simon Krenk and the amazing singer-song winter Lee Coulter.

Liz:

Find the Right Partnership: If you’re working on something significant, find someone who complements your strengths—someone who balances you. For instance, Sarah is my opposite in many ways: I’m the early bird and the organized realist, while Sarah is the night owl and the dreamer. It’s not about conflicting perspectives but about recognizing and celebrating the contrast. When you appreciate your differences, the partnership becomes a powerful tool to elevate the project.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Liz and Sarah:

We’re thrilled to share that we already have our proof of concept with our pilot episode, filmed in the beautiful city of Vienna, Austria. The feedback we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive, with viewers praising the stunning production quality and the engaging, high-caliber storytelling. Yes, we are tooting our own horn–we have worked really hard and we are proud of what we have accomplished thus far. This early response has been incredibly humbling and reaffirms our belief in the power of these stories. The visuals, combined with the rich narratives, truly resonate with audiences, and we feel confident that this is just the beginning.

This success is not just a testament to the creativity behind the project, but also to the tremendous potential for a full, and multifaceted first season. As we move forward, we are actively seeking the necessary funding and partnerships to bring the rest of the season to life. We’re fortunate to be working with PBS, a respected platform with a wide and diverse audience. PBS is known for its commitment to thoughtful, high-quality programming, and it’s an ideal partner for this project. However, we believe this series has the potential to reach even broader audiences across additional distribution platforms, expanding its impact and visibility around the world.

For brands, aligning with our series offers a unique opportunity to connect with an engaged, socially-conscious audience that values quality content. Our series isn’t just entertainment—it’s an invitation to be part of something meaningful. The opportunity to be associated with such beautiful and thought-provoking storytelling will not only elevate a brand’s visibility but also reinforce its commitment to supporting content that inspires and educates.

We truly believe that the stories we are telling are worth sharing on a global stage, and we’re excited about the potential to partner with like-minded brands that are eager to amplify that message. With the right support, the possibilities are limitless.

In other exciting news, we are so excited to be partnering with Expatsi–an exciting company founded by expats, whose mission is to help other U.S. citizens find their new home abroad. Based off years of continual research and data, founders Jen and Brett create country guides for dozens of destinations, write articles that answer questions on everything from legalities to best school choices, and offer a unique test to help people start their journey on where in the world to move based on core values and preferences.

This coming Spring 2025, we will be premiering our pilot episode and hosting a Q&A at Move Abroad Con, May 23-25 in San Antonio, TX, brought to you by Expatsi! So be on the lookout for the official announcement and website coming in the new year, and maybe we will see you there!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://isitbetterabroad.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterabroad_a_docuseries/