Become Nomad - Digital Nomad Lifestyle and Long Term Travel

In this solo episode recorded in Hanoi, Eli reflects on 15 years of nomadic living, the highs, lows, and strange in-betweens. Prompted by questions generated by ChatGPT, he dives into how AI is reshaping his workflow, the evolution of Become Nomad, personal sacrifices, startup ecosystem insights from around the globe, and the odd $180 meal… that thankfully turned out to cost just $9.

Living as a nomad starts with a remote job, but it doesn't end there. In this episode, Eli speaks with Anna Maria Kochanska about building a career on the move, turning remote work into real impact, and why Cape Verde might be your next favorite destination. 

Nikita and Eli catch up and talk about the rituals they follow when arriving in new places, such as gathering around campfires, along with a range of other related topics.

It's always on our minds as we seek to make this lifestyle sustainable -- the financial aspect of location independent work. Because let's not sugar-coat it: building a career that lets you enjoy such freedom requires work. It requires asking some tough questions and finding your particular answers. Here, Eli touches on how to approach tackling uncertainty, intention setting, becoming world class, accounting for technological change, and a whole lot more of those tough questions.

Our star listener Nikita Smelyanskiy is back! This time to ask Eli some deep questions about his nomadic journey. They chat about how Eli started moving around (at age 31!), his early approaches to making income, simplifying your lifestyle into "first-level principles," maintaining nomadic relationships, how this lifestyle impacts your larger perspective of life, and much more. Have some additional Q's you'd like us to tackle? Get in touch at dan@becomenomad.com!  

We often talk about the values of nomadic freedom. But nomadic freedom also includes the freedom to stop being nomadic for a while. After all, there are many ways of living true to the nomadic spirit -- even when you're stationary. Here, Eli & Dan discuss Dan's recent less-nomadic exploits en route to bigger questions about the long-term nature of this lifestyle and transitioning in & out of various situations. 

Today we have a special guest episode with our friend Nikita, a long-time listener of the show. He takes us through his unique approach to digital nomadism which started with some creative adventures in his home country -- perfect inspiration for anyone thinking about starting out. He and Eli move on to a grab bag of related nomadic questions about taking the plunge, finding your people, & living without fear. Have thoughts on their discussion? We love hearing from you! Reach out to dan@becomenomad.com & we'll reply on a future episode.  

Let's dig in to some essential nomadic FAQs: How do you choose a place for new residency? How do you handle taxes while on the road? How does it all play with your origin country? In this quick "emergency pod," Eli outlines some advantages, considerations, & interesting countries worth exploring when thinking about residency & related logistics. (We're a little behind schedule but more make-up pods are coming your way soon!)

Don't come to this episode hungry! Eli & Dan discuss some of their favorite locales for food and try to get a bit deeper: How much can food play a role in our perception of a location? What's the best way to really experience a local flavor? And what's our strategy for staying healthy while still experiencing food culture? Furthermore, we'll plant some seeds: Our favorite locations & food experiences -- the cuisines that sit with us for years after the fact. Hopefully, they'll inspire you (... if not for your next destination, then at least fo your next meal!).  

What does it mean for a location to be "winning" for nomads? This is something Eli thinks a lot about -- as he plans his next flight and as he continues the work of his main project, StartupBlink. In this ep, we dive into what trends, factors, and overall values determine a location's nomadic potential. And, of course, we name a handful that fall into this category -- plus some predictions for locations that are on the rise. Check out StartupBlink for more detailed analysis: www.startupblink.com

Every few years we like to check in & ask: What digital tools are we most heavily leaning on? What are we using on a daily basis during our nomadic journeys? In this ep, Eli & Dan cover categories such as social life, learning, navigation, and fitness. Hopefully giving you some helpful tips... but very likely just demonstrating our own ignorance :) Let us know what vital new tools we've missed at eli@becomenomad.com or dan@becomenomad.com.  

It's our eternal question: Where next? Eli's constantly thinking of how to answer this question -- not just with places as answers... But with principles & concepts that always stand true. In this episode, he talks about some of his new and undiscussed principles to make sure the next destination is a place you connect with.

Derek from Wandering Earl is back! To share more of his endless insights from 20+ years on the road. He & Eli touch on the classic question faced by lifelong nomads: Where's the finish line? Or, more accurately, is there a finish line? And they discuss what it's like to stop and start nomading again. Plus a grabbag of other topics: Building community, running a tour company, connecting your location with your work, and a whole lot more. Please give our friend some love & go check out WanderingEarl.com

You pack your bags and hit the road with a certain expectation in your mind. You imagine what you might experience, how you might change, what you might see, and who you might meet. But after years on the road, once the honeymoon phase has worn off... What unexpected realities might the digital nomad lifestyle bring? In this episode, we look past the glamorization and excitement of this lifestyle. Let's talk about some of the hard personal truths & ongoing psychological battles that might emerge. Because as much as there is to love about the digital nomad path, its reality isn't a Hollywood story and it isn't a shiny Instagram post.

On this ep, Eli's joined by a special guest: James Clark, founder of the travel blog Nomadic Notes. They discuss the ups & downs of being on the nomadic journey for so long, how the landscape has changed since James hit the road in 2003, the importance of holding onto hobbies & interests, and a whole lot more. ... & if you have any thouhts of Qs, give us a shout at info@becomenomad.com!

Eli has spent years of nomadic working on both sides of the aisle. Looking back on his experiences, he shares the pros & cons, the rewards & tradeoffs, of both working solo and managing a team. Plus: He shares how starting a remote company wasn't a product of ambition or courage as much as a product of necessity. And he dives into how this change in work-life forced a change in nomadic values. Thoughts or questions? Please shoot us an email! At: info@becomenomad.com

You know about the Chiang Mai's and Medellin's of the world -- the established digital nomad hubs mentioned in every other blog post. But which places might become the next Chiang Mai? The next Medellin? In this episode, Eli & Dan scour the global map to identify a few dozen places on our BecomeNomad radar -- some have long been emerging, some have just piqued our interest, all worth at least considering as you plan your next plane ticket. ... And of course we missed something, but what did we miss? Let us know at dan@becomenomad.com!

Accommodations! We start with Eli looking back at the early days of finding a place to stay via travel guides & simple spontaneity... And then see how things have drastically changed in the past ten years. Have they changed for the worst? Is the convenience gained by the Airbnb's and Booking.com's worth the dilution of nomadic adventure? What matters the most when we look for accommodations? And what further changes can we expect as trends like coliving become the norm? All that & a whole lot more to inspire your next temporary home in this episode!

We may not be doctors, but we do have a few useful principles for approaching personal health on a day-to-day basis. Because the nomadic life inherently complicates our ability to stabilize our routines. Meaning that something like health, which so fundamentally requires stability, is more vulnerable to frequent disruption. So how can we reduce that risruption? Even if just a bit? **One more thing!! If you're a BN fan, please fill out this quick 1-min Google form to help tailor future episodes to your interests: https://forms.gle/Dr7UQs3CzaQHktEz5 Any & all input is extremely welcome -- thank you!

It's definitely not the sexiest part of our nomadic adventures... but it may be the most vital. Still, banking's tricky because, more than most, it's not a one-size-fits-all topic. In this episode, Eli & Dan try to tackle the distinct financial "tiers" and the different opportunities nomads have -- all to eventually establish some universal truths & words of wisdom. If you're looking for a more practical episode -- one without any rose-tinted, Instagram-filtered glasses -- this one's for you.

You arrive at a new location. Now: What do you do? And more pertinently: Why do you do it? The more Eli lives this lifestyle, the harder it can be to answer that second question as he moves to new places. In some ways, accumulated knowledge from years of nomading can actually obstruct his ability to access some core truths. So that's what this episode is about: Those core mindsets about finding your version of happiness in a new location. **Finally: This episode is sponsored by Nomad, one of the fastest-growing eSim apps! Easy to install, easy to use, & way cheaper than roaming -- check 'em out at getnomad.app and use referral code DANI92CE for $3 off. They'll also have promos for an additional 10-15% off running all summer!

We're joined today by that Virtual Coworking Guy: Nathan Sudds! Eli found virtual coworking to be a productivity lifesaver during Covid times & continues to be a tool we rely on here at BecomeNomad. In this ep, Nathan shares his wisdom & personal success with some key nomadic hot topics -- prioritizing tasks, establishing routines, and even traveling as a couple (which he's now done with his wife for years). Plus: his take on building communities & a social life while on the move. ... Basically, it's a hodgepodge of our favorite topics, with Nathan's unique insights paving the way. Follow @NathanSudds on Twitter to see what he gets up to next!

Last episode we looked back at 2022. In this one, we glimpse into the crystal ball to discuss 2023. Dan & Eli toss around some predictions, questions, and general ruminations on what 2023 might bring to the world of digital nomadism. And, of course, they also get personal -- wondering aloud what the year in store will have for each of them. On the docket: The state of nomadic globalization, the challenge of balancing internal values, and a bunch of bullet points in between. (Apologies for the belated ep -- we'll be back with another soon!)

What did you learn in 2022? For our first ep of the year, Eli & Dan look back on the last one & reflect on some unexpected lessons learned. While Eli spent most of his year letting work guide his locations, Dan spent most of his sitting pat in his temporary home of Berlin. Quite new situations for both, so what can they (and you!) take into the new(ish) year ahead? All that and more as we keep our monthly episode streak alive (and, characteristically, a few days late)  

Dan Andrews of Dynamite Jobs & the fantastic Tropical MBA Podcast joins us for a super special New Years episode to talk all things remote work: How to build a business that's location independent, connecting freelancers to business owners, & genuine community building. Plus a bunch more relevant tips + resources coming your way. Huge thanks to Dan for being generous with his time, wisdom, & expertise!

Jesse Schoberg from Drop in Blog pops in to discuss a whole grab bag of topics with Eli: The magic of living in Thailand Inspiration for long-term nomading Evolving from freelance to agency to startup Nomadic luxuries ... And most prominently: How to develop a sustainable relationship with money -- one that helps you grow your lifestyle. Lots to learn on this one! And if you have any blog-writing aspirations, please check out Jesse's site (linked above).

Are you trying to get rich? And if that's not your financial goal, what is? Should a nomadic life even be tied by financial goals? Here, Eli & Dan discuss their relationships with money. Citing the wisdom of Naval Ravikant (@naval on Twitter), they explore the friction between a minimalist lifestyle and the more maximalist demands of work life. What does it mean to succeed... And when your answer to this question changes, how can you put yourself in the best financial & psychological position to adjust accordingly? All that and more on this sorry-it's-so-belated! October make-up episode.

Five years ago we had an episode about Yom Kippur - the holiest Jewish holiday & the only one that Eli celebrates consistently. But regardless of religious roots, the core of Yom Kippur is that of a nomadic holiday. This day asks us to search within, look without, and examine our lives objectively & introspectively. In this episode, Eli updates and builds on his previous thoughts - with deeply honest assessments of his own journey.

7 years. Countless destinations. And now, 100 episodes! Against all odds, we've made it to triple digits (thanks, in large part, to you!). So what's kept BecomeNomad alive despite virtually zero promotion? What value does it still offer & will it continue to offer? And what does it mean for Eli, all these years later? This is more of an introspective episode. A benchmark, to see where we've been, what we've learned, and where we're going. A huge thanks to all the contributors who've helped us get here! Many are named in the pod, but a particular shoutout to Bojan Ristovic & his magical audio team, and again our late friend & website developer Vuk Milićević.  

This is one of our biggest challenges as lifelong travelers: Entering into relationships. And also maintaining those relationships as we stay on the road. Seasoned digital nomad Aline Dahmen joins us to give her insights. Her Nomad Soulmates initiative is helping thousands of nomads connect and build relationships. How does one balance the attachment of these relationships with the desired freedom of this lifestyle? What constitutes a "successful" nomadic couple? Aline touches on these vital questions and much, much more.

This is a story of dedication, perseverance, and community. Matthias Zeitler of Coworking Bansko joins us to discuss how he accomplished his dream of creating a haven for digital nomads. What he and his team have built is magical, the ultimate DN inspiration. But beyond that, we cover what it truly takes to build a community and what goes into rebranding an entire small city -- a small city that, for many westerners, isn't even on their radar.

This episode is in loving memory of our longtime team member, Vuk Milićević. The idea here is to dig to the core of the digital nomadic lifestyle and pinpoint precisely what makes it worth pursuing. When you're on the road for a long time, it's easy to get lost in logistics and trivialities. But when that happens, there are certain mindsets worth reminding yourself of. So: Stay curious, and enjoy this belated episode -- we'll be back with another shortly!  

In this episode, we discuss the future of nomadism. What changes have we seen over the past 5-10 years and which trends are likely to become mainstays? We explore this topic from a wide range of angles, from the practicalities of travel visas to the very way we identify where we come from. As always, expect a handful of answers... and a handful more questions :)

Choosing locations. It's one of the most exciting parts of a nomadic life... but what if you get it wrong? What if a place's reality doesn't match your hopes and dreams? That's what we're tackling today. Instead of what to look for, we're flipping the coin and examining what to avoid, what to be conscious of, and how to approach locations when things are suboptimal. ... Did we miss something? Let us know! dan@becomenomad.com or eli@becomenomad.com 

There's something special about traveling on your own... But there's also something special about moving in groups! Here, Eli & Dan discuss exactly what makes both approaches special. We tackle the psychological benefits of both experiences, as well as some of the possible negatives. Plus, we also ponder what the ideal balance is... if one even exists! ...Psst! Join our Slack for more BecomeNomad!

How do you choose your next destination? Next adventure? Even your next activity? Do you plan ahead to ensure your schedule contains that which you care about? Or do you go with the flow and allow for the moment to dictate your experience?   In this episode, Eli & Dan address what really guides their nomadic choices. And they see if they can strike a balance between the planning mindset & the carpe diem mindset.   And hey, have some thoughts? Shoot an email to eli@becomenomad.com & dan@becomenomad.com -- one of us will be in touch asap!

It's safe to say the past two years have been... pretty unique from the nomadic point of view. In some ways, the landscape has changed irreversibly; in others, it's returning back to form. Here, Dan & Eli reflect on 2021 -- with both a personal and big picture perspective. And they look ahead to discuss all the ups and downs that 2022 may have in store. Topics include: Up-and-coming hubs, emerging forms of nomadism, Eli's evolving thoughts on structure & definitions, and more!

We've talked before about the concept of disconnection as a means of staying grounded and enjoying our surroundings. Not just binging Netflix, but really engaging in some fulfilling pastime. One of Eli's favorite practices is taking a "Week of Disconnection" every few months (see episode 65!), but here he examines the topic from a daily perspective. Ultimately, all these discussions on disconnection come back to one key question: "How do I become more in the world and less in myself?"

A few years back, Eli spent an episode dissecting the intro of The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. It's an incredible book, effortlessly taking a fresh approach to ideas that feel obvious... but maybe aren't. In this episode, Eli expands his reach -- focusing on some of the core concepts introduced throughout the book (not just in the first chapter). Some truly illuminating ideas here, ideal for anyone wishing to reexamine their preconceived life stories.

How do you know if your nomadic life is on the right track? Here, the answer to that question is a sort of metric system -- one that lets us organize the chaos of this lifestyle. For any location you're in, these pillars help you thoughtfully assess whether this location is actually giving you what you need. And, to that point, these pillars are also a vehicle for self-reflection -- a chance to question the way you prioritize your nomadic values.

When your environment keeps changing, it inevitably becomes more difficult to stay focused. The fluctuation and constant building of new routines is part of the digital nomad charm... But it's also one of our biggest challenges.   Here, Eli talks about his approach to building and keeping that focus in new locations -- including both practical tips & more general mindsets!

How do you record your experiences? Is it even an important part of appreciating what's around you? Or does it take you out of the experience and cheapen it? In this episode, Eli & Dan discuss their approaches to remembering and looking back on their travels. We debate the importance of doing something now for your future self, the methods of memory capture that we find most meaningful, and the ways in which recording experiences can actually deepen their value. Also, really want to give a shoutout to StartupBlink -- their global startup ecosystem map & rankings have been updated for 2021. Really fascinating stuff; check it out at www.startupblink.com

There's something special about just getting in a car, shifting gears, and going... wherever. So in this episode, Eli & Dan talk a bit about the unique, psychological effects of cross-country road trips. We discuss the experience of shifting landscapes & cultures, the benefits of changing locations, the mentality of reexamining your life story, and a whole lot more. Are you a big cross-country road-tripper? We'd love to hear your story & where you've been! Give us a shout at dan@becomenomad.com & eli@becomenomad.com. 

The actual tactics behinds saving money while traveling change month to month, year to year. But the necessary mindset underlying it all tends to stay consistent. In this mini-episode, Eli reflects on his decade-plus of travel to share some "mindset hacks" for living a low-cost lifestyle. Do you have any hacks that you've implemented into your lifestyle (travel or otherwise)? Let us know at support@becomenomad.com -- we'd love to hear from you!

We've talked before about the nomadic social life... But never like this. This episode won't give you tips for socializing while traveling or anything like that. You can find that elsewhere. But we will talk about social life from a bird's eye view: What are the big challenges and the mentality required. Join us here for a back-&-forth discussion about what it means to try to build friendships on the road. - - - - - - - - - Books mentioned: Tribes by Sebastian Junger Social Chemistry by Marissa King

We're too busy. We're all plugged in. And even for us nomads, it can be easy to lose sight of the greater goals.   In this episode, we're trying to recapture our spirituality. With all this talk of building startups and finances and practical elements, let's remember why we're doing all this in the first place.   How do we tap into that deeper fulfillment? Is it getting harder as the world gets more connected? And what does it mean to be a spiritual nomad, anyway?   - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   Plus, a huge thanks to our sponsor, Flexverk! They make awesome laptop accessories for travel (think: laptop stands & cases). Check it out at www.flexverk.com and use code "flexnomad" for 10% off (good thru end of April, contrary to what Eli says in the pod intro :) ). - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   Books mentioned: Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman by Richard Feynman The Origins of Everything by David Bercovici

Apologies to all! We had a mix-up with the audio yesterday, but are back on track. Full, correct episode is here -- thanks for bearing with us :) The Camino de Santiago -- it's one of the most famous treks in the world. In this episode, Victor Prince joins us to share the practical & spiritual realities behind such a journey.   Victor Prince is the author of The Camino Way: Lessons in Leadership from a Walk Across Spain. The book shares stories and lessons that he (& dozens of other hikers) learned by walking the 1,000-year-old Camino de Santiago trail across Spain.   See photos and videos from Victor's 5 hikes on the Camino at victorprince.com and #TheCaminoWayBook on Facebook.   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Also want to give a huge shoutout to our sponsor, FlexVerk!   Their laptop products make the transition from work life to personal life seamless -- perfect for anyone who's on the move. Get 10% off with code "flexnomad" (good thru end of April).  

When business commitments start increasing, can you still live a nomadic lifestyle? And if yes, how does it differ from a freelance or purely nomadic lifestyle? In this episode, we continue the conversation from episode 078... But instead of focusing on "what it's like to build a startup while nomading," Eli explains "what it's like to nomad -- while building a startup." By the end, we surprise ourselves with some candidly open reflections on the nomadic pursuit and what it means for a fulfilling life. What else would you expect from a BN pod?? Our conversation mentions startup ecosystems and StartupBlink's work in tracking them. Check out the map & ranking system here to see what we're talking about!

On this episode, travel guru Derek Baron pops in to shed insights on his 20+ years of continuous travel. From the state of travel blogging to digital nomads' evolution to his social mindset, Earl brings his uniquely honest attitude to everything we discuss. He's one of our favorite travel bloggers -- check out his website to see why!

Let's look beyond the basic psychology of habits to explore the nomadic idea that "Discipline is Freedom." In this episode, Eli covers the value of routines in an uncertain lifestyle, offers recommendations for building them effectively, and shares what he's learned about himself through his ups and downs of habit-forming. Have some thoughts about building routines while on the road? Shoot us your thoughts at info@becomenomad.com -- we'll give you a shout in our next episode!

To sustain his nomadic lifestyle, Eli chose the path of building startups. But what inspired him to go this route? Was it worth ditching the freelance game? And what would he do differently if he had the chance? In this episode, we discuss the lifestyle behind the lifestyle. How the type of work you choose will define the mindset you acquire and the sacrifices you make.