Episode 40

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Published on:

2nd Oct 2023

Episode 40 - Interview with Writer David Sontag

In this weeks episode of the Choosing Happy podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Writer David Sontag. After retiring and moving to France, David wrote and self-published his book, 'So you're Thinking of Moving to France'.

He describes his journey from tech consultant to retiree to author and why he chose the self-publishing route.

If you are thinking of relocating to France or interested in getting your book out into the world, David shares his thoughts and experiences.

We discuss:

  • His journey of moving to France
  • His writing and process
  • Why he chose to self-publish and what that entailed

About David Sontag :

I was born and brought up in North London before moving to mid-Essex in the early eighties. After a brief but unsuccessful flirtation with the military I left school and studied Computing before pursuing a career in that field. After I was made redundant for the second time I setup my own Private Service Company and worked on my own for 20 years working with businesses to transform their operations and improve productivity and profitability. I then opted for early retirement and spent 18 months assisting a friend of my wife with her newly acquired Travel Franchise. An earlier holiday in the Dordogne reignited my passion for France and we set about making that dream a reality. We finally settled in the Correze. After numerous friends asked me for help in planning their move, I decided to write a book, based on our real-life experiences, ‘So, You’re Thinking of Moving to France’. We are firm believers of ‘Living the life you love and loving the life you live’

You can find David on Social Media:

David's Facebook page

@baronbrive on Instagram

And you can find his books on Amazon.

I do hope you find this episode useful. Please share if you think someone you know would benefit from David's journey.

Please leave a review if you enjoyed it.

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Copyright 2025 Heather Masters

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About the Podcast

Choosing Happy
"For entrepreneurs who are tired of toxic positivity and ready for real transformation
Ready to break free from old patterns and choose joy in a noisy, demanding world?
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The Choosing Happy Podcast is where techies, entrepreneurs, transformational practitioners and creative souls come to reclaim happiness, shake up their mindset, and unlock more meaningful wins—no toxic positivity, just real stories, honest wisdom, and practical tools.

Hosted by Heather V Masters, certified trainer, coach, NLP master practitioner, and ex-corporate burnout survivor turned joy champion, every episode blends bold myth-busting, brutally honest moments, and uplifting insights.
Here, you’ll hear everyday tales about messing up, getting back up, and finding clarity in chaos.
This isn’t polished perfection—it’s raw, relatable, and relentlessly positive.

Whether you’re stuck in a rut, ready for a pattern break, or craving authenticity in your business and life, you’ll find strategies, experiments, and support to help you thrive.
Expect weekly bite-sized wisdom, longer deep-dives, and monthly guests who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo.

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Heather Masters

Hello, I’m Heather V Masters—your host of the Choosing Happy Podcast and a passionate guide for techies, entrepreneurs, and creatives ready to thrive!

As a certified Master coach, NLP trainer/ Master Practitioner, and hypnotist, I bring a unique blend of tools to help you break free from limiting patterns and choose happiness every day.
My journey began with corporate burnout, where I discovered the power of mindset shifts to transform my life. That spark led me to build thriving communities like the Creative Writing Tips Club and launch this podcast, where I share the strategies that helped me—and can help you—create a life you love. From NLP techniques to heartfelt stories, I’m here to empower you with actionable insights and a warm, authentic vibe.

When I’m not podcasting, you’ll find me coaching clients, writing, or sipping a cuppa while dreaming up new ways to inspire joy. Let’s choose happy together—join me on this journey!

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Email: heather@heathervmasters.com

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