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The Maverick Show: Global Travel Stories & Life Beyond Borders

The Maverick Show: Global Travel Stories & Life Beyond Borders

Hosted by Matt Bowles: Full-Time World Traveler Since 2013

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Episodes

397

Latest episode

Jul 2026

Language

EN

About the show

The Maverick Show is a global travel podcast about what really happens when people cross borders and build lives across cultures. Hosted by full-time world traveler Matt Bowles, each episode features intimate, unfiltered conversations (often over a bottle of wine) exploring the human stories behind global travel and what the journey teaches us about the world and ourselves. Guests include expats, digital nomads, women and diaspora storytellers, worldschooling families, and human rights advocates, all sharing travel stories that are funny, moving, and deeply human. In addition to hearing about extraordinary places and the people who live there, you’ll learn what it’s really like to move abroad, build an expat life, or travel long-term, as guests open up about their personal journeys navigating culture, race, power, identity, and belonging in an unequal world. If you’ve ever felt that travel changes you in ways no one talks about, you’re in the right place. The Maverick Show hit the Top 100 on Apple Podcasts (including #1 in Places & Travel), was ranked in the Top 1% of podcasts globally by Listen Notes, and was named the #1 Digital Nomad Podcast and #1 Remote Work Podcast by Million Podcasts — with hundreds of five-star listener reviews.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
July 6, 202656 min

396: From Debilitating OCD to Exploring the World’s Most Misunderstood Countries with Cameron Mofid

Learn how Cameron's quest to travel to every country served as exposure therapy and also ended up transforming his worldview. ============================ Get the Monday Minute my weekly email with 3 personal recs for travel, culture, and living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds. ============================ ON THIS EPISODE Cameron Mofid became the youngest person to visit every country in the world, but his extraordinary journey began as an effort to overcome debilitating OCD through real-world exposure therapy. In this episode, Cameron shares how growing up with Egyptian and Iranian heritage shaped his curiosity about the world, how tennis first opened the door to international travel, and how solo travel ultimately transformed both his mental health and his worldview. We discuss his experiences traveling through Egypt, Iran, Yemen, Iraq, Venezuela, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Suriname, the hospitality he found in places often portrayed negatively in the media, and why some of the world's most misunderstood countries became the places that changed him the most. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU: See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ============================ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram and DM Matt to continue the conversation Please leave a rating and review — it really helps the show and I read each one personally You can buy me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes!

June 29, 20261 hr 0 min

395: Seeing Life Through a Different Lens: Zaakirah Muhammad on Disability, Belonging & Travel in Africa

Learn how photography, resilience & travel to Africa helped Zaakirah navigate disability and find connection worldwide. ============================ Get the Monday Minute my weekly email with 3 personal recs for travel, culture, and living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds. ============================ ON THIS EPISODE Zaakirah Muhammad shares the remarkable story of how a photograph taken when she was an infant helped detect a rare eye cancer and ultimately save her life. She reflects on how photography became her creative outlet, how her first international trip to Costa Rica sparked a lifelong passion for travel, and why extended stays in countries like Ghana and Kenya transformed her understanding of identity, community and belonging. Zaakirah discusses traveling through Africa as a disabled person, spending a year living in Kenya with her mother, reconnecting with the continent through DNA ancestry research, and navigating the world as a Black Muslim woman. She also shares insights on accessibility, cultural immersion, Afrobeats, entrepreneurship, and how travel can help us better understand both ourselves and the places we visit. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU: See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ============================ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram and DM Matt to continue the conversation Please leave a rating and review — it really helps the show and I read each one personally You can buy me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)

June 22, 20261 hr 15 min

394: Northern Lights, Sámi Culture and Raising a Family in Arctic Sweden with Jonny Cooper

Hear stories about life in the Arctic, from polar bears and midnight sun to dog sledding, ice hotels and Aurora magic. ============================ Get the Monday Minute my weekly email with 3 personal recs for travel, culture, and living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds. ============================ ON THIS EPISODE What happens when a life-changing trip to see the Northern Lights inspires you to leave England, move to Swedish Lapland, and raise your family in the Arctic? In this episode, Jonny Cooper shares his journey from UK DJ and IT professional to founder of Off the Map Travel and resident of Arctic Sweden. We explore the realities of life under the midnight sun, raising bilingual children in a culture deeply connected to nature, and what he has learned from the Indigenous Sámi people. Jonny also shares unforgettable stories from across the Nordic Arctic, including dog sledding with Inuit communities in Greenland, encountering the unique realities of Svalbard's polar bear country, staying in world-famous ice hotels, and witnessing the awe-inspiring magic of the Aurora Borealis. Whether you're fascinated by Arctic travel, Nordic culture, family life abroad, Indigenous wisdom, or the transformative power of immersive travel, this episode offers a rare window into one of the world's most extraordinary regions. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU: See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ============================ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram and DM Matt to continue the conversation Please leave a rating and review — it really helps the show and I read each one personally You can buy me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)

June 15, 20261 hr 13 min

393: From Haiti to Curaçao: Joanne Paul on Worldschooling and Raising Multicultural Kids

Learn how Joanne uses travel, language, cultural immersion & place-based learning to help her kids feel at home anywhere. ============================ Get the Monday Minute my weekly email with 3 personal recs for travel, culture, and living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds. ============================ ON THIS EPISODE Joanne Paul shares her journey growing up between Haiti and the United States, raising multilingual and multicultural children, and creating a life centered around travel, community, and place-based learning. Joanne discusses how her family's humanitarian work in Haiti shaped her worldview, why she chose Curaçao as a second home for her family, and how worldschooling can help children develop a deeper sense of belonging through language, cultural immersion, and real-world experiences. She also shares the inspiration behind founding Ileo, a place-based learning ecosystem in Curaçao designed for homeschooling and worldschooling families seeking meaningful connections with local communities and cultures. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU: See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ============================ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram and DM Matt to continue the conversation Please leave a rating and review — it really helps the show and I read each one personally You can buy me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)

June 8, 20261 hr 10 min

392: Beyond the Pyramids: Nadine Arab on Egyptian Identity, Challenging Stereotypes & Travel as a Political Act

Hear how Nadine solo-travels the world as an Egyptian woman while showcasing a side of Egypt most visitors never see. ============================ Get the Monday Minute my weekly email with 3 personal recs for travel, culture, and living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds. ============================ ON THIS EPISODE Egyptian travel writer and Curls en Route founder Nadine Arab shares her journey from growing up in Alexandria to becoming a full-time travel blogger and solo traveler exploring the world on her own terms. Nadine reflects on what she learned from solo travel in Egypt and abroad, and discusses how travel shaped her understanding of identity, culture, and belonging. She also explains why she is passionate about showcasing a side of Egypt that extends far beyond the pyramids and typical tourist attractions. Nadine then shares insights on traveling as an Egyptian woman, navigating the world on an Egyptian passport, building a travel business, and connecting with the Arab diaspora around the world. Finally, she explains why she believes travel and politics are deeply intertwined, including her advocacy for Palestinian liberation and global solidarity. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU: See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ============================ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram and DM Matt to continue the conversation Please leave a rating and review — it really helps the show and I read each one personally You can buy me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)

June 1, 20261 hr 0 min

391: How to Travel the World Rent-Free as a Cat Sitter and Drive Political Change as a Nomadic Activist with Nicole Green

Hear how Nicole saved over $100,000 on accommodation and uses her location independence to support political campaigns. ============================ Get the Monday Minute my weekly email with 3 personal recs for travel, culture, and living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds. ============================ ON THIS EPISODE Nicole Green shares how she built a full-time travel lifestyle through cat sitting, saving more than $100,000 on accommodation while staying everywhere from penthouse apartments in Montreal to ski chalets in the Swiss and French Alps. She explains how pet sitting became her gateway to location independence, the strategies she uses to secure sits around the world, and how her travels inspired her to create Traveling Catsitter, a community for cat-loving travelers. Nicole also discusses how she uses her freedom of movement as a “Nomadic Activist,” traveling to political battlegrounds to volunteer on grassroots campaigns, support progressive candidates, and explore the intersection of travel, civic engagement, and social impact. Along the way, she reflects on solo travel, digital nomadism, sustainability, community building, and the lessons she has learned from years of living without a permanent home. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU: See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ============================ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram and DM Matt to continue the conversation Please leave a rating and review — it really helps the show and I read each one personally You can buy me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)

May 25, 202659 min

390: Travel as Rebellion: Marissa Strang on Representation, Storytelling and Supporting Local Communities

Hear how Marissa built a full-time travel career while advocating for inclusion, ethical tourism and local stories. ============================ Get the Monday Minute my weekly email with 3 personal recs for travel, culture, and living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds. ============================ ON THIS EPISODE Travel creator Marissa Strang shares stories from Japan, Switzerland and Egypt while reflecting on the emotional realities of building a life through travel. She discusses leaving corporate America to become a full-time content creator, balancing documentation with being present in the moment, and using travel storytelling to spotlight underrepresented voices, local histories and community-led tourism initiatives. Marissa also explores the experiences of Black travelers abroad, the difference between diversity and inclusion in travel marketing, and why supporting local communities through intentional travel can foster deeper cultural understanding around the world. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU: See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ============================ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram and DM Matt to continue the conversation Please leave a rating and review — it really helps the show and I read each one personally You can buy me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)

May 18, 202656 min

389: Culture-First Travel: Marissa Strang on Egypt, Cuba and Centering Women’s Stories in India

Hear how immersive travel experiences challenged stereotypes and deepened Marissa’s commitment to community-led tourism. ============================ Get the Monday Minute my weekly email with 3 personal recs for travel, culture, and living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds. ============================ ON THIS EPISODE Travel creator Marissa Strang shares how immersive travel experiences across Cuba, Egypt, Jordan, Iceland and India shaped her approach to culture-first travel and community-led tourism. She reflects on studying Afro-Latin dance in Cuba, taking her first solo trip through Iceland, honeymooning in Egypt, and experiencing Jordanian hospitality while challenging common Western stereotypes about the Middle East. Marissa also discusses visiting women-led businesses in India, learning about tourism as a tool for economic empowerment, and using travel storytelling to highlight local communities and underrepresented perspectives. This episode explores cross-cultural travel, women-led tourism, identity, hospitality, and the impact of intentional travel experiences on the way we understand the world. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU: See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ============================ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram and DM Matt to continue the conversation Please leave a rating and review — it really helps the show and I read each one personally You can buy me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)

May 11, 20261 hr 14 min

388: From Jamaica to Jordan: Finding Belonging and Challenging Western Narratives Through Travel with Janine Jervis

Hear how 20 years of travel to Jordan reshaped Janine’s view on the Middle East, media narratives, and human connection. ============================ Get the Monday Minute my weekly email with 3 personal recs for travel, culture, and living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds. ============================ ON THIS EPISODE Born and raised in Jamaica, Janine Jervis spent nearly two decades helping lead tourism marketing for Jordan while returning to the country dozens of times and building deep relationships there. In this episode, Janine shares stories from Jordanian Bedouin communities and reflects on how travel transformed her understanding of the Middle East, Palestine, identity, belonging, and cross-cultural connection. She also talks about growing up between Jamaica, Trinidad, and Washington D.C., witnessing the rise of anti-Arab sentiment in the United States after 9/11, speaking out about Palestine within the travel industry, and ultimately returning to live in Jamaica after 25 years abroad. Along the way, Janine reflects on Black travel, media perception, community, and the power of authentic storytelling to bridge cultures across borders. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU: See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ============================ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram and DM Matt to continue the conversation Please leave a rating and review — it really helps the show and I read each one personally You can buy me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)

May 4, 202656 min

387: Nomading in Your 60s: Palle Bo on 127 Countries, Travel Podcasting & Life as The Radio Vagabond

Learn how immersive storytelling, local connection, long-term travel & nomad life after 60 reshapes belonging abroad. ============================ Get the Monday Minute my weekly email with 3 personal recs for travel, culture, and living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds. ============================ ON THIS EPISODE Palle Bo shares what a decade of full-time world travel has taught him about identity, connection, and building a life beyond borders. After leaving Denmark at age 50, Palle has now visited 127 countries and evolved from fast-paced travel to a more intentional, slow travel lifestyle—recently establishing a base in Chiang Mai while continuing to explore the world. He reflects on how immersive travel and local relationships challenge assumptions, reshape perspectives, and reveal the deep similarities between people across cultures. Palle also takes us behind the scenes of his podcast, The Radio Vagabond, explaining how field recordings and spontaneous conversations with locals create powerful human stories—and how travel podcasting opens doors to experiences most travelers never access. Along the way, he shares insights on staying connected while living abroad, navigating aging as a digital nomad, and why some of the most meaningful moments on the road begin with simply saying yes. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU: See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ============================ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram and DM Matt to continue the conversation Please leave a rating and review — it really helps the show and I read each one personally You can buy me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)

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