Join Clover and Lori on the first episode of Love It or Leaf It Podcast as they navigate the sticky, often maddening world of U.S. passport renewal amidst their preparations to move from Missouri to Toronto in 2025. As a queer American family feeling increasingly unwelcome in their home state due to rising transphobic legislation, they've decided to seek a safer haven in Canada. This episode humorously details the bureaucratic nightmare of renewing passports, complete with tilted head photos, missing receipts, and unexpectedly quick turnarounds. Dive into the lighter, yet hilariously frustrating side of their journey to cross the border, all while tackling the unexpected hurdles and privileges that come their way.
00:00 Record-Breaking Passport Issuance in 2024
00:26 Introducing the Love It or Leaf It Podcast
00:44 Our Family's Story and Decision to Move
01:29 Challenges of Relocating to Canada
02:07 The Passport Renewal Process
02:38 Navigating Bureaucratic Hurdles
04:51 The Cost of Immigration
07:35 The Importance of Passport Photos
11:43 Dealing with Passport Photo Rejections
12:37 The Lopsided Head Incident
12:51 Passport Photo Struggles
13:24 The Waiting Game Begins
13:58 Confusing Customer Service
15:45 Unexpected Arrival
16:31 Reflecting on the Process
22:02 Final Thoughts and Advice