

The Maverick Show: Global Travel Stories & Life Beyond Borders
Matt Bowles: Full-Time World Traveler Since 2013
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 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.
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 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 2, 2024 • 60min
265: Conscious World Travel with Delia Colantuono
Learn the self-growth potential of solo travel for women, and how to do it consciously, thoughtfully, and ethically.
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Get the Monday Minute my weekly email with 3 personal recs for travel, culture, and living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds.
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ON THIS EPISODE
Delia Colantuono joins Matt over a bottle of wine on the Nomad Cruise and starts off reflecting on Matt’s Keynote speech about the importance of consistently standing with oppressed groups around the world as we travel. Delia then reflects on her personal journey growing up in Italy, and how the development of her political consciousness was intertwined with her early travels. She then talks about her journey as a solo female traveler and eventually a full-time digital nomad. Delia shares stories from her travels to over 60 countries, especially around her main passions of scuba diving and free diving. She also reflects on over-touristification, digital nomad gentrification, how we can be better allies with marginalized groups as we travel, and how we can be more environmentally sustainable, socially conscious, and thoughtful as we move through the world. And, finally, Delia talks about her mentoring program for aspiring solo-female travelers and her upcoming women’s retreats in the Canary Islands.
→ Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here.
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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! :)

Dec 26, 2023 • 55min
264: The Art & Business of Travel Writing and How to Pursue What You Desire with Rosie Bell
Learn how to become a travel writer, pursue what you desire, downsize to carry-on luggage & design your dream lifestyle.
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Get the Monday Minute my weekly email with 3 personal recs for travel, culture, and living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds.
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ON THIS EPISODE
Rosie Bell joins Matt in Tenerife in the Canary Islands to discuss her books “Escape to Self” and “The Art and Business of Travel Writing”. She also talks about her journey of downsizing to carry-on luggage and designing her dream lifestyle. Rosie then talks about dating and finding love as a digital nomad and explains how she mentors people on getting into the digital nomad lifestyle. Next, she reflects on how travel has impacted her as a person and what travel means to her today. Matt and Rosie then discuss Afrobeats and Hip Hop and Rosie names her top 5 artists in each genre.
→ 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! :)

Dec 18, 2023 • 52min
263: Falling in Love with Panama, Brazil, Mexico and Pursuing a Life of World Travel with Rosie Bell
Learn about the beauty and magic of Panama, Brazil, Mexico, Bonaire, Buenos Aires and building a life of world travel.
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Get the Monday Minute my weekly email with 3 personal recs for travel, culture, and living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds.
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ON THIS EPISODE
Rosie Bell joins Matt in Tenerife in the Canary Islands to record this interview before embarking on the Nomad Cruise together. Matt and Rosie start off talking about their love for Brazil. Rosie then talks about growing up in Nigeria, moving around the world, and the impact of being a third culture kid. Next she opens up about deviating from her traditional career in London to start traveling the world and eventually becoming a digital nomad. Rosie talks about what she loves about Panama, Cuba, Bonaire, and Mexico. Matt and Rosie also talk about the value of travel in debunking negative stereotypes about places ranging from Mexico to Buenos Aires to Nigeria.
→ 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! :)

Dec 11, 2023 • 49min
262: Immersing in Afro-Mexican Culture and Founding "I Got Your Black" with Diva Green
Learn about Afro-Mexican history, culture and how you can go on an immersive small group trip to experience it yourself.
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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
Diva Green starts off talking about her Panamanian background, growing up in New York City, and navigating her Afro-Latina identity. She then talks about how her interest in travel developed, and the experience of taking her first solo trip to Europe. Diva shares how the police murder of Michael Brown impacted her decision to focus on serving the Black community through travel. She explains how Victor Hugo Green’s “Green Book” inspired her as she grew her company “I got your Black”. Diva explains how and why she created the LatinX Travel Guide for New York City, as well as the Black Guide to Havana, Cuba. She then talks about Afro-Mexican history and culture, and describes the trips she runs for travelers to experience and immerse in Afro-Mexican culture. Next, Diva gives tips on navigating anti-Blackness globally, and being in solidarity with other marginalized groups while traveling. Finally, Diva reflects on what travel means to her.
→ 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! :)

Dec 5, 2023 • 47min
261: Traveling to Sudan, Uzbekistan, and Seeing the World Through the Lens of a Third Culture Kid with Nusrat Roshni
Learn about Doctors Without Borders, Seeing the World through the Lens of a Culture Kid, and Visiting Sudan & Uzbekistan.
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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
In Part 2 of this interview, Roshni talks about her experience growing up in the UAE, spending her summers in Bangladesh, and navigating her identity as a third culture kid. She reflects on her treatment of South Asians (particularly construction workers) in the UAE, as well as her observations going to the UK and Canada. Roshni also shares her apprehensions about moving to the U.S., and what shocked her when she arrived. She then talks about meeting her husband, attending political events together, getting married, and integrating world travel into their relationship. Roshni reflects on her travels through Sudan and Uzbekistan, and Matt talks about his experience in Kazan. Roshni then talks about her relationship with Doctors without Borders, their work around the world today, especially in Palestine, and how people can contribute to support their work.
→ 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! :)

Nov 30, 2023 • 44min
260: Family Stories from the Bangladesh Liberation War, Finding Humanity, and Lessons for Today with Nusrat Roshni
Learn what Roshni’s family experienced during the partition of India, the Bangladesh genocide, and the lessons for today.
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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
Roshni and Matt start off talking about Philadelphia, and why it is one of the most underrated cities in the U.S. Roshni then opens up about the experience of her Bengali Muslim family during the 1947 partition of India. She then shares stories about her family’s experience during the Bangladesh Liberation War and the Bangladesh Genocide of 1971. Roshni emphasizes how, despite a litany of horrors—from civilian massacres to rape camps—there were also shining examples of humanity at every turn, including cross-community love and assistance by individuals willing to help their neighbors escape death and violence. Roshni draws out profound moral lessons that inform her political activism and worldview today. She encourages people to always “look for the helpers” to find the humanity in any situation. And, finally, Roshni talks about her grandfather’s progressive commitment to the education of women and girls, his work on building schools in Bangladesh, and the legacy of that work today.
→ 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! :)

Nov 20, 2023 • 1h 6min
259: Travel Tips for Cameroon, Senegal, and Dominica with Dr. Clem Affana
Learn specific tips on traveling to Cameroon, Senegal and Dominica, plus and the history of Carnival in the Caribbean.
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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
Dr. Clementine Affana and Matt discuss how they met at Nomadness Fest, and Clem then talks about her experience growing up in Cameroon. She reflects on how her mother inspired her both to become a medical doctor and to travel the world. Clem shares her experience going to Medical School on the Caribbean island of Dominica, and the cultural similarities between West Africa and the diaspora in the Caribbean. She then explains the history and cultural significance of “Carnival” and describes her experience in Dominica attending Carnival as well as the World Creole Music Festival. Next, Clem talks about her home country of Cameroon in West Africa and makes specific recommendations for visiting both Cameroon and Senegal. She then gives tips for maximizing your time off work to travel, building a side hustle, and transitioning into a remote career. Clem reflects on the 3 primary ways travel has impacted her and, finally, recommends her top 5 favorite Afrobeat artists.
→ 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! :)

Nov 13, 2023 • 47min
258: Let's Just Bring the Kids and Travel the World with Kameko Rooks
Learn how to travel the world with kids, pursue motherhood without limits, and the tips & hacks to make it affordable.
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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
Kameko Rooks joins Matt over a bottle of wine and starts off talking about growing up in the hip hop culture of Yonkers, New York. She explains how she started traveling the world after having kids at a young age, and how her 8 year old has already been to 24 countries. Meko then talks about founding her blog and website “Traveling with Meko”. She shares tips for traveling with young kids under the age of 2, as well as tips for traveling with kids age 4-8, and the key travel hacks to make it affordable for the whole family. Meko then talks about her scuba diving journey, and shares some of her favorite dive locations around the world. Next, she talks about founding her travel company “Let’s Just Bring the Kids” which organizes group trips for moms and their kids. Meko also talks about how she has monetized her passion for traveler, become an influencer, and grown her following to nearly 200,000 on social media. And, finally she shares tips for solo female travelers, and reflects on the impact traveling to over 50 countries has had on her.
→ 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! :)

Nov 8, 2023 • 53min
257: Choosing Love, Humanity and Stopping the Genocide in Palestine with Matt Bowles
Learn the history, context & analysis of the genocide being carried out in Palestine & what you can do to help stop it.
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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
With a Master’s Degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and 25 years of peace and justice work around the Israel-Palestine conflict, Matt uses this episode to provide some historical and political context for the genocide now being carried out in Palestine, and to provide action items for how you can help stop it. He begins by reflecting on genocides around the world in places he has visited, then talks about what is happening right now in Palestine. Matt explains the effects of Israel’s aerial bombardment of Gaza, Israel’s blockade of food, water, electricity and fuel, and the U.S. role in funding, arming and backing the genocide. He then gives a brief history of Israel, including its colonial expansion, military occupation, settler pogroms, abduction and torture of Palestinians, and the blockade of Gaza that has been in place since 2007. Matt then talks about the history of Palestinian nonviolent resistance, and Israel’s consistently violent response. He then explains Israel’s strategic decision to support the rise of Hamas in the late 1980s, Israel’s disregard for international law, and how Israel’s policies make it less safe for both Israeli Jews and Jews around the world. Matt then talks about the shining examples of humanity across the world, including all of the cross cultural, inter-faith, diverse coalitions of people rising up to call for a ceasefire and a stop to the genocide. He concludes with sharing 10 things you can do right now to help de-escalate the violence and bring about a ceasefire.
→ 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! :)

Oct 31, 2023 • 60min
256: Visiting Nigeria, Being an Ally Not a Savior, and Dismantling Oppressive Power Structures with Tayo Rockson
Learn how to navigate our diverse and complex world of power asymmetry, identity, privilege and be an ally not a savior.
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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
In part 2 of my interview with Tayo Rockson, he shares his personal journey and how he pivoted after a life threatening car accident. Tayo then shares his professional journey and explains his work as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Consultant. I go deep with him on the relationship between DEI vs. dismantling systems of oppression, and I draw out his nuanced reflections on identity, privilege, power structures, and far right ideologies. We discuss the framing of international political conflicts, power asymmetry, and how to develop universally principled politics. He also shares his thoughts on cross-cultural dialogue, changing hearts and minds, and not allowing bad actors to drain your emotional energy. Tayo also explains how to be a good ally and avoid the savior complex. Next, he talks about his podcast “As Told By Nomads”, shares tips for visiting his home country of Nigeria, and reflects on what travel means to him today. Tayo also shares his Top 5 Hip Hop Emcees and his Top 5 Afrobeat artists.
→ 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! :)


