The Maverick Show: Global Travel Stories & Life Beyond Borders

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

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415

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Nov 2026

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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.

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60 recent

November 9, 20261 hr 13 min

From Disney & Pixar to Kilimanjaro & Everest Base Camp: Nabil Kazi on Storytelling for Travelers (Ep 414)

Go behind the scenes in Hollywood, discover the art of meaningful travel storytelling, and hear epic adventures 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 Nabil Kazi shares his journey from growing up between Pakistani and American cultures to becoming a Hollywood executive at Disney, Pixar, Fox, and Illumination. He reflects on the art of travel storytelling, the importance of connecting with local communities, and the ethical responsibilities travelers have when documenting other cultures. Nabil then takes us behind the scenes of his entertainment career, from bringing Disney to India and Vietnam to working with Steve Jobs at Pixar, befriending Kobe Bryant, and helping Michael Jackson’s children after their father’s death. He also shares stories from his athletic adventures, including completing two Ironman triathlons in Brazil, summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, and trekking to Everest Base Camp through relentless rain. Finally, he explains what inspired him to leave Hollywood behind and embark on a new chapter of full-time world travel. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FIND YOUR NEXT EPISODE Explore The Maverick Show Starter Packs — some of my favorite conversations curated by theme so you can easily find the episodes that match your interests. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU See my Top 10 Travel Apps See my Top 10 Books that Shaped the Way I Travel 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 Support the show by buying me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes!

November 2, 20261 hr 3 min

From Benin to Brazil: Alexa Moore on Exploring Cultures Through Food & Becoming a Full-Time Travel Creator (Ep 413)

Learn what 50+ countries taught Alexa about human connection, traveling solo as a Black woman and telling great 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 Alexa Moore shares memorable travel experiences across Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, from walking the historic slave route in Ouidah to visiting Victoria Falls and going on safari in Botswana. She reflects on the preservation of Yoruba and West African culture in Salvador, Brazil, as well as her travels through The Gambia, Cabo Verde, Jamaica, and St. Croix. Alexa also explains how street food tours, cooking classes, and local cuisine have helped her discover fascinating connections between cultures around the world. She then shares how she left her career in the environmental sector after her content creation income surpassed her salary and became a full-time travel creator supported primarily by brand partnerships. Alexa explains why great storytelling and a distinctive perspective can matter more than follower count for aspiring creators. She also reflects on traveling solo as a Black woman, navigating anti-Blackness, and why visiting more than 50 countries has strengthened her belief in the kindness of strangers and the power of human connection. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FIND YOUR NEXT EPISODE Explore The Maverick Show Starter Packs — some of my favorite conversations curated by theme so you can easily find the episodes that match your interests. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU See my Top 10 Travel Apps See my Top 10 Books that Shaped the Way I Travel 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 Support the show by buying me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes!

October 26, 20261 hr 10 min

Studying Abroad in India, Living in Namibia and Traveling Deeper Through South Africa & Ghana with Alexa Moore (Ep 412)

Learn how slow immersive travel can deepen cultural understanding and transform how you see the world and yourself. ============================ 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 Alexa Moore shares how studying abroad in India transformed her confidence as a traveler and opened her mind to a life of exploring the world. She talks about her Jamaican-American upbringing in the Washington, D.C. area, living and working in Namibia after college, taking a 24-hour bus journey from Windhoek to Cape Town, and developing a deep connection with the African continent. Alexa reflects on exploring Johannesburg and Soweto, engaging critically with the legacy of apartheid, and learning about contemporary xenophobia and the experiences of African immigrants in South Africa. She also shares stories of hospitality and human connection in Senegal before taking us to Ghana, where she experienced the historic Year of Return, explored Accra during the high-energy Detty December season, and discovered a different side of the country through the Volta Region, Mole National Park, local food, surfing, and conversations with people along the way. Throughout the episode, Alexa reflects on how cultural immersion, historical awareness, curiosity, and meaningful connections with local people can challenge our assumptions and deepen our understanding of the places we visit. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FIND YOUR NEXT EPISODE Explore The Maverick Show Starter Packs — some of my favorite conversations curated by theme so you can easily find the episodes that match your interests. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU See my Top 10 Travel Apps See my Top 10 Books that Shaped the Way I Travel 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 Support the show by buying me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes!

October 19, 202650 min

Socially Conscious Travel Writing, Colombian Coffee Culture & Becoming a Guardian of the Places We Visit with Ocean Malandra (Ep 411)

Learn how traveling with greater depth and intention can transform our relationship with people, place, and the planet. ============================ 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 Ocean Malandra shares how he built a career in socially conscious travel writing and why introducing readers to a destination comes with a responsibility to understand the impact tourism can have on local communities and environments. He reflects on reporting about conservation, Indigenous land rights and sustainable development in Colombia, explores the country’s evolving specialty coffee culture, and explains how travel writers can help direct attention and resources toward people and projects creating positive change. Ocean also discusses tourism as a form of activism, the importance of slow travel and cultural immersion, and how traveling with greater depth and intention can foster meaningful relationships—and ultimately a sense of responsibility for protecting the places we come to love. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FIND YOUR NEXT EPISODE Explore The Maverick Show Starter Packs — some of my favorite conversations curated by theme so you can easily find the episodes that match your interests. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU See my Top 10 Travel Apps See my Top 10 Books that Shaped the Way I Travel 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 Support the show by buying me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes!

October 12, 202651 min

Falling in Love with Colombia: Ocean Malandra on Cali's Salsa Culture, Bogotá Graffiti, Indigenous Land Defenders & the Afro-Colombian Pacific (Ep 410)

Learn how Colombia is shaped by beautiful human connection. cultural resilience, community power, & ancestral knowledge. ============================ 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 Ocean Malandra takes us deep into Colombia as he shares how an intended journey through South America turned into a life-changing relationship with the country that has lasted for more than 17 years. He reflects on growing up around Oakland hip-hop, discovering the cultural roots connecting Colombia to the African diaspora, and learning from communities using art, music, collective land ownership, and community-led tourism to preserve their heritage and shape their future. Ocean also discusses Colombia’s extraordinary biodiversity, environmental conservation, the legacy of political violence, responsible travel, overtourism and gentrification—and offers insights for experiencing the country in ways that more directly benefit the people who call it home. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FIND YOUR NEXT EPISODE Explore The Maverick Show Starter Packs — some of my favorite conversations curated by theme so you can easily find the episodes that match your interests. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU See my Top 10 Travel Apps See my Top 10 Books that Shaped the Way I Travel 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 Support the show by buying me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes!

October 5, 20261 hr 0 min

Black Travelers and the Outdoors: Lauren Gay on Nature, Adventure, Storytelling & Environmental Activism (Ep 409)

Discover the roots of the racial diversity gap in outdoor recreation and how travel creators can help reshape the narrative. ============================ 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 Lauren Gay shares stories of paragliding in Cape Town, gliding in Japan, visiting a nudist resort, and swimming between tectonic plates in Iceland. She then unpacks the historical roots of the racial diversity gap in outdoor recreation, the importance of authentic Black visibility in outdoor culture, and why nature has become both therapy and a spiritual space for her. Lauren also talks about co-founding the Black Travel Alliance, how the story of a destination changes depending on who is telling it, and the responsibility travel creators have to the communities and places they feature. She reflects on becoming an environmental and conservation activist, balancing tourism promotion with the dangers of overtourism, and why travel can foster greater empathy, human connection, and care for the natural world. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FIND YOUR NEXT EPISODE Explore The Maverick Show Starter Packs — some of my favorite conversations curated by theme so you can easily find the episodes that match your interests. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU See my Top 10 Travel Apps See my Top 10 Books that Shaped the Way I Travel 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 Support the show by buying me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes!

September 28, 202659 min

From the Azores to the Arctic: Lauren Gay on Solo Travel, Reinvention & Epic Outdoor Adventures (Ep 408)

Hear how a life-changing journey sparked a new chapter filled with whale sharks, northern lights and wild landscapes. ============================ 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 Lauren Gay joins Matt for a wide-ranging conversation about the experiences that shaped her into the Outdoorsy Diva. She shares how chasing waterfalls with her son helped ignite her passion for outdoor recreation, how a pivotal trip to the Azores gave her a new vision for her life, and how she went on to pursue extraordinary experiences around the world. Lauren tells stories of swimming with whale sharks in Mexico, encountering incredible wildlife in the Galápagos, exploring the landscapes of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, dog mushing through Arctic Norway, witnessing the northern lights after a decade of trying, watching a whale breach in Alaska, and experiencing a profound sense of connection while visiting Zimbabwe. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FIND YOUR NEXT EPISODE Explore The Maverick Show Starter Packs — some of my favorite conversations curated by theme so you can easily find the episodes that match your interests. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU See my Top 10 Travel Apps See my Top 10 Books that Shaped the Way I Travel 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 Support the show by buying me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes!

September 21, 20261 hr 6 min

Traveling the World as a Gay Couple: Ross OC Jennings on Queer Life Across Cultures & Finding Home Abroad (Ep 407)

Learn about backdoor diplomacy, pink imperialism, colonial history & why slower travel can create deeper connections. ============================ 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 Ross OC Jennings tells the story of meeting his husband Travis and building a relationship centered around a life of travel. He reflects on living in Guatemala and the Philippines, navigating countries where homosexuality is criminalized, and the complex dynamics of queer travel across different cultural contexts. Ross also shares why Mozambique holds a special place in his heart, what playing the bagpipes around the world taught him about colonial history and cultural exchange, and how returning to Shanghai nearly 30 years after moving there as a child affected his understanding of identity and home. He then talks about his show So Where’s It From? And, finally, he reflects the responsibility travel content creators have when telling other people’s stories, the limitations of country counting and achievement-oriented travel, and why slowing down has ultimately led to deeper connections and more meaningful experiences around the world. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FIND YOUR NEXT EPISODE Explore The Maverick Show Starter Packs — some of my favorite conversations curated by theme so you can easily find the episodes that match your interests. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU See my Top 10 Travel Apps See my Top 10 Books that Shaped the Way I Travel 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 Support the show by buying me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes!

September 14, 20261 hr 3 min

From Growing Up in China to Playing the Bagpipes in 117 Countries with Ross OC Jennings (Ep 406)

Discover how an unlikely instrument opened doors, crossed cultures and turned travel adventures into 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 Ross OC Jennings shares how growing up in China shaped his identity, curiosity and relationship with travel. He reflects on his childhood in Shanghai, learning Mandarin, navigating reverse culture shock at boarding school in the UK, and eventually combining his passion for travel with his Scottish heritage to pursue an audacious global bagpiping quest. Ross tells stories of a tense police encounter in Tunisia that took an unexpected turn, playing on the Yamuna River in front of the Taj Mahal, performing for Bhutanese royalty, piping beside an erupting volcano in Guatemala, playing atop the Burj Khalifa, and even performing at 35,000 feet on a commercial flight. Along the way, he explains what he discovered about the surprising global history of the bagpipes, cultural identity, respectful travel, and the extraordinary ways music can break down barriers between people. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FIND YOUR NEXT EPISODE Explore The Maverick Show Starter Packs — some of my favorite conversations curated by theme so you can easily find the episodes that match your interests. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU See my Top 10 Travel Apps See my Top 10 Books that Shaped the Way I Travel 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 Support the show by buying me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes!

September 7, 20261 hr 12 min

Traveling Through Syria, Iran & Turkmenistan with His Dad, Telling Deeper Stories & Building 3 Million Followers with Chris Joondeph (Ep 405)

Discover why Chris believes the most meaningful and important travel stories begin where headlines and stereotypes end. ============================ 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 How do you tell compelling stories about places that are often misunderstood? In this episode, Chris Joondeph reflects on the lessons he's learned from traveling to more than 170 countries and creating one of the world's largest travel communities on social media. Through conversations about Syria, Iran, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Turkmenistan, Algeria, Malawi, and beyond, Chris explores the responsibilities of travel creators, the importance of context over sensationalism, and why genuine human connection is essential to understanding the world. He also shares how traveling with his father after the loss of his mother transformed both of their perspectives, and why curiosity, humility, and firsthand experience continue to shape the stories he chooses to tell. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FIND YOUR NEXT EPISODE Explore The Maverick Show Starter Packs — some of my favorite conversations curated by theme so you can easily find the episodes that match your interests. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU See my Top 10 Travel Apps See my Top 10 Books that Shaped the Way I Travel 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 Support the show by buying me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes!