Chat With Nomads

From delicious food and passionate people to beautiful beaches and colourful culture, Mexico is a popular destination amongst expats and digital nomads.In this episode, Sara Tyler shares her experiences of moving to Mexico as an expat. We talk about the pros and cons of life in Mexico as well as the cost of living. We discuss how the different regions stack up against each other. With some of the coastal cities getting extremely touristic and expensive, what are some of the good cities for longer term stay that offers a more cultural and local experience.More importantly, Sara selflessly opens up about her personal experience in a less commonly addressed topic. We talk about the mental mindset of balancing the innate need to travel vs responsibilities to be present for.  How do you make sure you are aware of your own mental wellbeing while taking care of others. What are some practical ways to stay positive amidst challenging life situations. More Travel Topics:NomadsUnveiled

In this episode, Erin from RoamGeneration shares how she and her family went from watching a sailing documentary to living life on a boat full time.   We discuss the financial aspects of things and the transition to and from life on boat to land between different seasons of life.  Erin also talks about how she runs a fully remote agency right from her boat cabin and the challenges of living together as a family within the confines of a boat.

The Millennials have always been extremely controversial, but they are also tech savvy and one of the most well-traveled generation credit to timely evolution in tech and travel space.In this episode, Norm from travelyounger talks about how he was inspired to a nomadic life by the younger generation. As a nomadic traveler in his 60s, he shares how fellow boomer generations can adopt a millennial mindset and lead the same exciting lifestyle, catering to his own preferences.  Amidst an interesting exchange of travel stories and experiences,  between a millennial and boomer traveler, we discuss life perspectives, how to live with no regrets, understanding yourself and embracing your own travel style.

There are many ways and preferences when it comes travel, but with the growing focus in socially responsible themes like sustainability, we see the same trend in travel.In this episode, Jami Savage from AdventureAwaits shares her knowledge and passion for transformational travel. She talks about the elements to consider in transformational travel and how these play a huge role when planning a family trip. We discuss how kids can benefit from purposeful travel outside of the classroom and maybe even develop/uncover their interests in certain topics. Are there benefits to pulling kids from classes for travel trips and how to balance academics with world discovery.We also go into travel industry trends and what tourism boards are focusing on in the Post Covid world. What are some interesting strategies that destinations can leverage on to capture attention in the traditional low travel seasons. 

Over 70% of the Earth is Ocean and Living the Boat Life offers you access to some of the most beautiful views that may never be experienced by land travel. However, life on the boat is not always easy.In this episode, Ryan and Sophie from ryanandsophiesailing talks about how they got into a life of sailing, and the challenges behind it.   We talk about the extreme highs and lows, some unseen pitfalls and tips for success in this lifestyle. Ryan and Sophie share the raw truth behind difficulties in juggling a romantic relationship on board a limited space amidst sometimes challenging sea conditions, and their coping mechanisms.  That said, we discuss how travel has changed our perspectives and create growth personally and in the relationships we have with people. 

Be it your gender, race, lifestyle, sexual orientation, or any other identity - how do you represent your community while also respectfully observing local culture.In this episode, Brent and Michael from brentandmichaelgoes shares their transition into nomadic life, and how the new lifestyle has brought about new perspectives, communities and friends for them. They share their experience when traveling as a gay couple in their 50s; what are things to look out for and how they approach interactions. We talk about interesting happenings on their adventures and how they acknowledge their own values while empathising with and respecting those of other cultures.We discuss the ability to balance both sides of the coin in various controversial debates surrounding travel, the nomadic lifestyle, mindset and foreign politics. 

Travel coaching is one of the industries that is growing in prominence within the travel space. What is a travel coach, how they can help and is it a viable remote work career?  In this episode, Sahara Rose from the Travel Coach Network shares more about the diversity of experiences within the Travel Coaching community, and what are some of the needs that travel coaches address.We talk about how people can benefit from travel coaches and what to look out for when choosing the right one for you. On the flip side, we also discuss how people can get into travel coaching as a career, and what personas might do well in this industry.

We all want to get the best bang for our buck regardless if it is on a short travel trip or a longer term nomadic life. In this episode, Tim Leffel, award winning travel writer and author of the books “World's Cheapest Destination” and “A Better Life For Half The Price” (amongst others) shares his travel tips through decades of travel.  We speculate on the new state of travel following 2 major shifts in the travel industry. From the rising travel costs to the remote work/nomad movement, we talk about the latest observations and trends. More importantly, we discuss age old cost saving strategies that still applies, and what are some things to look out so you avoid making costly mistakes.

Conscious planning is an important step in building a lifestyle around the important things and values that matter to you.In this episode, Mikkel and Dan from Sometimes Home shares how they took the pandemic period to restructure their lifestyle around a central theme of freedom - focusing on location, finance and time. Throughout the conversation, you will find insightful tips on how to set up your business operations to build for freedom of location and time, how to manage work on the road and key strategies that made the difference. We also discuss lifestyle considerations when it comes to planning for long term travel, and how that might differ from shorter trips. 

With more cities and locations developing into nomad hubs, will the magical Arctic Circle be the next hot spot? In this episode, Jay Topp the producer of upcoming nomad documentary - Digital North: Coworking in the Arctic Circle talks about his experience up in the Nordic countries. He shares about the challenges in the filming process, why he chose to tell the story of the Arctic circle and what are things to look out for when living in this part of the world for an extended period.We also talk about Jay's journey into a nomadic life, how travel has changed his perspectives and why the Arctic represents something deeper to him than just another travel destination.

Tarek Kholoussy from NomadsGivingBack talks about how digital nomads can use their digital skillsets and influence to positively impact communities. In this episode, Tarek shares his transition journey from corporate America to a traveling nomad and setting up bases -- what were the events that triggered the change and the challenges/considerations he had during the transit. We also talk about the lessons that are learnt through experiencing different culture.With the increasing debate about how nomads are impacting the places they visit, we dive deep into what nomads can do to make sure the positives outweighs the negative. What should nomads take note of and how they can contribute their skills for the greater good.

Apart from policies, infrastructure and community, Croatia's evolution as a digital nomad destination has an extremely close tie to its tourism industry. After all, travel is a significant part of the equation in most nomad lifestyles.In this episode, Iva from Swanky Travel and Iva Silla from Secret Zagreb shares their views on the impact of digital nomads have on the tourism industry, and how travel companies can adapt their products/services to cater to this new, growing group of consumers. We talk about consumer behavior trends and why digital nomads are not just a customer in the travel industry but an integration to the local community.

Storytelling is a powerful tool for yourself and for others. The story you tell others, and the story that others tell you, can ultimately affect the story you tell yourself. Many talk about storytelling as a marketing tool in the business sense, but it is equally true that it affects your choices and decisions in life. Are you living a life following your own story or are you just following the story that others place upon you?In this episode, we chat about the nomadic lifestyle with Graham Brown, the Founder of Pikkal & Co. We talk about his journey in the mindset change, finding his path and true joy in a minimal, nomad life after achieving society's definition of "success".  We compare differences between family and solo travel, showing that even within the community of digital nomads, there is no ONE specific lifestyle. Everyone has their own story to tell, and narrate.Graham shares why it is important to live life on your terms, and the pain of regret. We dive deep in exploring mindset shifts and how you can rethink if you are genuinely pursuing what you want or simply living a life others or society defined for you.

As the digital nomad community grows, there are increasing discussions both externally and within about the impacts this community can have globally.From a simple work and travel concept to now a global community that have significant global impact, Goncalo Hall from Nomad X discusses the positive and negative impacts that digital nomads can have on local communities, and the building of Digital Nomad Villages. He shares what are the challenges in setting up different nomad hubs and why it is important to understand the market requirements in order to create a beneficial model for everyone.  We discuss the shift in the dynamics of the nomadic community and how to harness the positives of nomads through community building.  We also dive into the future of the nomad movement and what further impacts will digital nomads continue to have as new conversations about world issues are sparked within this global community.

As the digital nomad boom continues, and more nomadic travelers seek out a new community throughout the world, we look at what does it take to launch a Digital Nomad Initiative?Mario Mrkša, the Founder of WorkRemotelyCroatia reflects on the challenges and process of setting up Digital Nomad Valley Zadar from scratch. As the first season of the Valley closes out to make way for the busy Croatia tourism season, Mario shares the insights and learnings from the first season of operating such an initiative. We look at what worked, what did not, what are the various positive and negative things that are out of expectations.Maria also shares what the team is looking out for in Season 2 and also the expansion of the Digital Nomad Valley initiative. 

"I travel solo but I don't travel alone"In this episode, Dean Kuchel of whereisdean talks about finding his community while traveling around the world, and how a nomad lifestyle is actually less about "travel" but more of just "going about his life" for him. He shares tips on being proactive and how you can meet people, and spark conversations.We dive into mindset and mentality - how you should never operate from the position of fear and why saying "Yes" first can lead you to some of your best life experiences. We also talk about the change in life phrases and how covid has impacted various groups in different ways. Most importantly, we touch on "freedom" and what it can actually mean. 

As remote work gets more popular in recent years, what does it take to secure a remote work position with an established company? Julio Monzon, COO of Monetizemore, a fully remote company, reveals what they look out for when hiring and tips for standing out.In this episode, Julio shares important insights on what it takes to nail down a remote job position and how to manage an established company with fully remote employees. We talk about the benefits and challenges of remote work structure and ways to maintain a strong company culture despite geographical locations. 

What role does a media platform play in helping a country's push as a Digital Nomad destination? Paul Bradbury, the Founder of Total Croatia News talks about his first encounter with the term "Digital Nomad", as well as how the news portal has since followed and participated in Croatia's evolution as a remote work destination.In this episode, Paul shares the behind-the-scenes on how Croatia got started with digital nomad tourism from his perspective. We look at how media coverage has been a crucial piece in propagating information to nomads overseas, and helping locals  understand a potential opportunity. In addition, we dive deep into how tourism and remote work comes together to make Croatia an attractive destination.

How did travel look like without mobile phones and the likes of Google, Facebook, Instagram etc. Where would a less globalised world take a wild, young, impulsive soul?In this episode, Paul Bradbury, the Founder of Total Croatia News reflects on past 30 years of travel, dating back to 1989. From waking up to being strapped on hospital beds to surviving a plane crash landing, and becoming a rain god, be prepared for some crazy travel stories. We talk about the similarities and differences between travel now and 30 years ago. What are elements that have mapped across time and what are some that are perhaps lost forever. In this episode, we rethink what "Travel" actually means and go back to the age old question - "Are we more or less connected with technology?" We also look at how travel is ultimately a personal experience, and what transitioned Paul from the hectic life of hoping around the world to putting a real focus on just Croatia. 

How do you pick up a new language fast enough for practical communications? In this episode, we hear from the multilingual Anna Maria Kochanska. Anna Maria dropped out of school, left home and started a new life in Spain without even knowing Spanish. That started her digital nomad journey around the world where she continues to pick up more languages.In addition, we speak about cross-cultural communications for businesses and how the understanding of both cultures and languages are important not just in travel but for business as well. Anna Maria also shares how she manages her career and her travel priorities while on the road.

It is often said that "Digital Nomadism is a lifestyle, not an occupation"; and lifestyle can change with age and perceptions. In this episode, we speak to Ruta Dambyte from Baltic Breeze Travel about how the pandemic created a reflection opportunity to her past decade in business and the privileges of a nomadic life.Ruta shares her experiences in traveling with nomad communities, as well as her transition into slower travel with more "me" time. We dive deeper into what are potential factors of creating a nomad community and how the Baltics can improve to attract more remote workers. 

The first of a special series looking into the brilliant minds behind Croatia's push into the digital nomad scene.Kick-starting with power duo, Michael Freer, Director of Digital Nomad Association (DNA) Croatia and Tanja Polegubic, Founder of Saltwater Nomads. We talk about how Croatia's direction for tourism and remote workers has evolved over the last 2 years.2021 has ended on high with DNA Croatia approaching more cities across the country for collaborations and Saltwater Nomads winning multiple international awards with projects in Zagreb and Dubrovnik. We take a deeper look into country vs city level considerations when pushing new initiatives for digital nomads and remote workers - What kind of customisations are needed and how to convince governments to look at remote workers as potential solutions to elevate certain problems.In this conversation, we look at the essential components when a city wants to make itself attractive for digital nomads, the challenges behind building a community and how having one matters in creating an enticing environment for mid to long term stay. 

When the pandemic destroyed careers and put a dent in travel plans, it was a point of change for Steve Tsentserensky. Well known for his CNBC feature for living on $47/day in Croatia, Steve made the leap during the pandemic when his previous filmmaking career was disrupted by social distancing measures and uncertainty in client budgets. In this episode, Steve shares how travel is different as a traveling contractor in the hospitality industry v.s a digital nomad writer, and how he made the career pivot during the travel. We also talk about getting clients as freelancer and the secret behind getting the right clients on Upwork; how to craft the right proposals and the mindset to convert leads into clients.

Travel is comparatively easy now with all the information at our fingertips, but this was not always the case. In this episode, we speak to OG globetrotter Nora Dunn from The Professional Hobo about how her nomadic journey started more than a decade ago when technology was not as advanced as we know it.In hindsight, things were different back then. It wasn't just travel that was boosted by technology but also job/business opportunities. Nora shares how she gave it all up in the early days and went in search of a new life. We dive deep into perception changes through travel, as well as how it is much easier to build a remote career today. Find out insights about the business of blogging as well as what might be installed for the future of digital nomads and remote workers. 

Our present and future is often impacted by our past as well. Francis Nayan from the Nomad Newsletter shares how his near death experience from Heroin addiction was an important turning point in his life. Breaking free from his addiction, he goes on to build a successful email marketing career and travels around the world today.In this episode, we talk about the mindset changes that happen in such life-changing moments, and discuss about the future of remote work and digital landscape. In addition, Francis shares what are some ways to get started with remote work, tips to practice when reviewing online courses and how to build a successful business on the road.

Travel is often considered a luxury spending when trying to achieve FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early). However, when combined with slow travel and digital nomad lifestyle, travel could be beneficial towards the financials depending on where and how you travel. Eric from Nomad on FIRE shares how his journey to FIRE changed when he moved from a traditional work life to digital nomadism, and back to office life with the pandemic. We talk about things to think about when incorporating long term finance planning into a travel lifestyle, the importance of personal finance, as well as travel hacks to stretch your budget. 

Is travel really an expensive activity? or can it actually be budget friendly?In this episode, Mr NomadNumber from the NomadNumbers couple talks about their nomadic travel style and expenses. He shares the activities that they engage in when traveling and how slow travel can actually be cheaper than lifestyle cost back home by taking advantage of geo arbitrage. We discuss travel budgeting tips, financial considerations and lifestyle design to create a life of freedom.

A website that really started from a long distance relationship, travel enthusiasts Becca and Dan shares how their stories came together and gave birth to Half Half Travel. In this episode, we talk about the transition to remote work, maintaining relationships across the world and the business of blogging.We explore solo vs couple travel, the mindset differences between tourists and nomads, as well as balancing work, blogging and travel. Don't miss this episode as Becca and Dan shares their most important travel and remote work tips.

What do you need to look out for when moving aboard and how does the expat life differ from the nomadic life?Kirsten from Sand in My Curls shares about her journey of moving from United States to Malaysia. We talk about the ups and downs of expat life, the logistical side of things (i.e. housing, insurance etc) and tips for the transition. In this episode, we also discuss how living abroad is now more feasible than ever with remote work, as well as how the line between digital nomads and expats might start to blur as the similarities between the lifestyles gradually overlap.

Being a nomadic spirit since young, Trista always knew she wanted to work internationally. That landed her a job with the United Nations right out of school. The humanitarian work brought her to countries like Angola, Congo (DRC), Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon and moreLiving abroad, adapting to cultures and changing environments come with its fair share of challenges. Trista speaks about her 30 years of experience living abroad and working with underprivileged communities. We also discuss how living an alternative lifestyle can sometimes lead to doubts and some ways to manage your thoughts. Trista shares how life coaching helped her through tough times and why she is a life coach today helping expat women cope with life abroad. 

Immersing yourself in other local cultures can not only provide artistic inspirations and also another perspective at life, without all the hustle in fast paced societies. It also provides an opportunity to see things on the ground that might seem far fetched from home. Chris and Jill from Artistic Voyages share how they decluttered their life and hearts to embark on a journey of discovery.  We speak about how travelers can not just appreciate cultures but also impact local communities.We dive deeper into how a mural painting project evolved into an ongoing effort to help a starving village in Uganda .

Veganism can actually be a positive force in enhancing your travel experiences, and appreciation for local culture & food.Wendy from The Nomadic Vegan debunks the myth that being vegan will negatively affect your travels and shares her tips on how you can prepare for a trip as a vegan traveler.We speak about nutritional needs, scouting for food in countries with predominantly meat based diets, as well as vegetarian and vegan cuisines around the world and the culinary experiences they can still offer.Lots of valuable insights and travel tips for vegan and vegetarian travelers.

How does it feel to travel around the world living on a boat and have summer all year round? Simon and Carla from Sailing Ocean Fox shares all the tips and tricks to living the boat life on their Catamaran. We speak about exciting travel stories of boats drifting off coast at night, adventures of Dobby the naked cat and very valuable insights to setting up your own sailing travel lifestyle. 

Lars and Shelley shows how you can pursue your dreams on the road as Middle Age Travelers. In this episode, the couple from LifeJourney4Two shares how they just came to the decision to go for that nomadic travel lifestyle one afternoon. 9 months later, they sold all their stuff and went on the adventure of a lifetime. Having been traveling through Europe on a Motor Van, and exploring Africa on a Camper Van, Lars and Shelley explains the differences between the two types of vehicles, along with incredible travel stories. Get insightful tips about starting and living the van life, as well as taking a positive mindset towards life.

Life is journey of constant changes, growth and learning. In this episode, Thilini shares her story on how she recover from past mistakes to building a professional career, and ultimately exchanging a lucrative pay check for the freedom to travel around the world. We chat about the mindset of riding the wave of life, and also things to consider when leaving a well paid job for a nomadic travel life. 

How do you prepare for a cycling trip around the world? Freelance writer and cycling enthusiast Zoe Ashbridge shares how she transitioned from an office job to a freelance writer during a mega cycling trip around the world. We chat about how travel by bike is different from regular travel, what are challenges along the way and tips to take note when planning for such a trip. We also discuss how to kickstart your freelance journey on Upwork and the mentality to go after the life you want. 

There's often a stigma that comes along with mental health illness. However, this doesn't have to stop one from exploring the world. In this episode, Meggie shares her experiences traveling with Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and social anxiety. We chat about how she opened up to it due missing out on awesome scenery, some tips to deal with mental health conditions, and ways to prepare yourself for a travel trip even when you have mental health issues.

Our differences are what makes each of us special, and traveling allows us to gain exposure to differing and opposing perspectives. In this episode, Jazmin from Travel To Blank shares why it is important to represent, understand, and accept cultural diversity while traveling. We speak about consciousness of other cultures, empathy and respect towards different world views and sustainability in travel.

With the travel industry expanding year over year, we sometimes forget that travel is a privilege. In this episode, Lavdi from KosovoGirlTravels shares about Kosovo and her travel adventures.  We speak about challenges of traveling with the Kosovan passport, working with the UN in South Sudan and how respecting cultures can help open your mind to other perspectives. Traveling with the Kosovo passport has its challenges but don't let the limitations stop you from experiencing the world.

Can you still travel around the world when you have kids? Astrid & Clint certainly prove it to be so. In this episode, the couple behind The Wandering Daughter shares their family travel adventures and their journey of discovery to a nomadic lifestyle . We speak about effective tips and tricks when traveling with kids, as well as how learning is so much more than just academics when the world is your classroom. 

Your perspectives change when you are traveling alone, with a companion or as a family. In this episode, digital nomad mon - Julia shares how she transited from a typical office life to traveling long term and now raising a nomadic family. We speak about mindset changes to take the leap into a nomadic life, how regret is the worst feeling, and tips on managing family time with traveling and business. 

Everyone experiences the world in a different way, but food has got to be something everyone at least thinks about when traveling. In this episode, the Foodie Flashpacker - Nathan Aguilera shares his journey to taste the world. We chat about our favourite cuisines, how dishes and ingredients vary across continents and tips to go about finding local haunts. Nathan also speaks about what got him started traveling and what it takes to run a food and travel blog.

Study hard, find a well paid job as a lawyer/doctor, get married and have kids... Sounds familiar? This traditional definition of a successful life progression is applicable worldwide, and especially prevalent in Asia. The region is home to many digital nomad hubs, but the lifestyle is not as common among Asians. In this episode, Kach from the Philippines shares how she broke free from this traditional mindset to find her own success and happiness while traveling around the world.  We discuss family communications, building remote income sources, creating a successful travel blog , yacht life and Montenegro as a home base.

The horse can be the ultimate travel companion, unveiling a different view and experience of the world. How do you pursue a passion while traveling around the world on a horseback? The Equestrian Adventuress - Krystal Kelly shares her crazy, horsey adventures, including a key ingredient in being able to complete the brutal Mongol Derby. In this fun and engaging episode, we speak about grit and determination, how traveling changes your mentality, and creating awareness for women empowerment.

Challenging the conventional education system, we look at how WorldSchooling actually imparts more important life skills that are often overlooked amidst the hustle & bustle of life. Joined by TEDxEdu speaker and CoFounder of Project World School - Lainie Liberti, we discuss the importance of empathy and opening up to perspectives. Learning is a lifelong journey and the world might just be the best classroom.I promised you this episode is not just for WorldSchoolers. I gained so much from it.

The gig economy is growing faster than ever, and freelancing is one of the best ways to take your career on the road. In this episode, serial entrepreneur Alex Fasulo, shares how she made over a million dollars as a freelance writer on Fiverr.  We discuss strategies to succeed on freelance platforms, lifestyle tips to get into the right hustle mindset, and how to branch out into more businesses from a successful foundation.

How do you run a successful Food and Travel YouTube Channel and still have time for your loved ones? In this episode, we talk about lifestyle balance, developing the right creator mindset, and tips & tricks to ace content creation on YouTube and social channels, with David Hoffman from the popular channel - DavidsBeenHere.

Most people dream of traveling to all the countries, how does it feel to have actually done it? We speak with Carlos Useros Moyano who is in the UN Master List of Individuals who have visited all 193 countries. He shares what it takes to accomplish this feat, the frustrating challenges and the crazy adventures involved.  In this episode, we talk about changing perspectives and personal growth from traveling.