

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

Oct 20, 2021 • 1h 23min
155: Decolonizing Ourselves, Cultivating an Anti-Oppression Lens, And Living in the Hyphen with Justine Abigail Yu
Justine Abigail Yu takes us on her journey growing up in Toronto as a Filipina-Canadian, navigating that hyphenated identity, and living between two cultures. ____________________________________Subscribe to The Maverick Show’s Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.).Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________She describes how travel has impacted her and reflects on the impact of traveling back to the Philippines at different points in her life. Justine gives tips on visiting the Philippines, where you should go, and why you should definitely not skip Manila. She also talks about attending the Fringe Festival in Manila, and how it functions as a space for the expression of gender fluidity within a conservative society. Justine then shares the story of how she met her relationship partner while traveling. She shares their experiences traveling as a mixed race couple in Asia, and how it provoked some of her most profound reflections on the importance of decolonizing ourselves. Justine also talks about her trip to East Africa and reflects on the evolution of her anti-oppression politics and the development of her 3DR Approach—Decolonize, Disrupt, Dismantle and Rebuild. She then talks about her magazine, Living Hyphen, reflects on the importance of storytelling for marginalized communities, and discusses the expansion and future of the project. Justine also talks about her role as the Marketing and Communications Director at Wanderful, and her involvement in developing their Anti-Oppression toolkit for content creators. She then explains her role as the senior advisor for the RISE Travel Institute which promotes responsible, impactful, sustainable & ethical travel. And, finally, Justine reflects on the concepts of allyship and solidarity and what travel means to her today. FULL SHOW NOTES AND DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED IS AVAILABLE HERE.____________________________________See my Top 10 Apps For Digital NomadsSee my Top 10 Books For Digital NomadsSee 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 RecommendSee How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use)____________________________________ENJOYING THE SHOW?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 11, 2021 • 1h 10min
154: Remote Year President Sam Pessin on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Building the World's Largest Work-Travel Program
Sam Pessin talks about his international upbringing in London, Jerusalem and Beijing, and how that impacted his life and his passion for travel. ____________________________________Subscribe to The Maverick Show’s Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.).Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________He then talks about his professional career trajectory and ultimately deciding to co-found Remote Year in 2015. Sam takes us through the evolution of Remote Year, refining the customer experience, scaling it to over 100 employees by 2019, and being acquired by Selina in 2020. He then describes the current Remote Year offerings, ranging from one-week retreats and one-month workstations to 4 and 12-month work-travel programs with a community of location-independent professionals. Matt shares his experience on the 12-month Remote Year program in 2016 and why it was the best year of his life. Sam then describes the customer experience on Remote Year programs today and discusses safety, inclusion, positive impact, local immersion, and community building. Matt and Sam also discuss the Remote Year alumni “Citizenship” program and why it is one of the most valuable parts of the Remote Year experience. Sam then talks about the company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion priorities, and the progress Remote Year has made on its DEI goals over the last two years. He then opens up about the impact that the pandemic had on Remote Year, the acquisition by Selina in 2020, his current role as President, and his vision for the future of Remote Year. Next, Sam talks about Remote Year’s process for hiring amazing people, and building company culture in a remote environment, and gives his tips on executive leadership. He then shares his personal productivity habits, how he manages stress, his biggest lessons learned from building Remote Year, and what he would do differently if he had to do it all over again. And finally, Sam shares his #1 Remote Year memory. FULL SHOW NOTES AND DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED IS AVAILABLE HERE.____________________________________See my Top 10 Apps For Digital NomadsSee my Top 10 Books For Digital NomadsSee 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 RecommendSee How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use)____________________________________ENJOYING THE SHOW?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 6, 2021 • 1h 24min
153: Traveling the African Continent with Wazha Dube
With his roots in Botswana and the U.S., Wazha Dube shares his experience growing up in 6 countries on 4 continents before the age of 18, going to college in Hawaii, and then backpacking through China during the Olympics. ____________________________________Subscribe to The Maverick Show’s Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.).Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________He shares his top highlights and recommendations after years of living and traveling in China. Wazha then talks about his professional journey into the travel industry and eventually managing the Africa Collection of luxury travel and hospitality brands for Index Select. Matt and Wazha then discuss the different regions of Africa and share their experiences traveling in North, Southern, East and West Africa, as well as the African islands. Wazha then explains the post-colonial power dynamics of the travel and tourism industry in Africa, discusses Black-owned hospitality brands on the continent, and gives tips on how to make socially responsible travel decisions in Africa. He also talks about the importance of avoiding the “white savior complex” and discusses alternative ways that white people can act as allies and advocates in ways that are empowering and respectful. Wazha also shares what travel means to him at this point in his life. And finally, Matt and Wazha discuss hip hop around the world, and Wazha names his top 5 hip hop MCs of all time. FULL SHOW NOTES AND DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED IS AVAILABLE HERE.____________________________________See my Top 10 Apps For Digital NomadsSee my Top 10 Books For Digital NomadsSee 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 RecommendSee How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use)____________________________________ENJOYING THE SHOW?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! :)

Sep 28, 2021 • 1h 10min
152: Diversity in Travel, Connecting the Global African Diaspora, and Creating the ABC Travel Green Book with Martinique Lewis
Martinique Lewis shares her journey growing up in an immigrant family in Oakland, California, studying abroad in London, and her path to becoming an award-winning Diversity in Travel Consultant.____________________________________Subscribe to The Maverick Show’s Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.).Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________She talks about what she loves about London, and how she travels the world like a local as opposed to a tourist. Marty then talks about her passion for learning about and connecting with the African Diaspora around the world. She gives the history of the Negro Motorist Green Book, and talks about her inspiration for creating the ABC Travel Green Book to connect the African Diaspora globally, promote Black-owned businesses, and identify safe spaces for Black travelers. She also talks about being the President of The Black Travel Alliance and shares their founding story, their impact on holding the travel industry accountable for diversify and inclusion, and the launch of the new Black Travel History website. Marty then talks about her path to becoming a professional Diversity in Travel Consultant and breaks down the power dynamics that inhibit diversity in travel brands. She talks about the impact she is making on the board of Conde Nast and the National Outdoor Leadership School. Marty then shares her reflections on racism in the U.S. through the lens of international travel. She also reflects on her support and solidarity with the “End SARS” campaign against police violence in Nigeria. Marty then shares her thoughts on safety considerations for Black travelers and offers her thoughts on how people can be better allies. And finally, she shares what travel means to her. FULL SHOW NOTES AND DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED IS AVAILABLE HERE.____________________________________See my Top 10 Apps For Digital NomadsSee my Top 10 Books For Digital NomadsSee 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 RecommendSee How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use)____________________________________ENJOYING THE SHOW?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! :)

Sep 22, 2021 • 1h 16min
151: Sunken Forests, Bioluminescent Bays and Swinging Off the End of the World with Jen Ruiz
Jen Ruiz takes us on her journey growing up between Puerto Rico and Philadelphia, becoming an attorney, practicing law up until the age of 30, and then leaving her job to become a full time travel influencer.____________________________________Subscribe to The Maverick Show’s Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.).Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________She talks about her decision to take 20 trips in a single year while working at a full time job in her late 20s, and then reflects on her decision to leave her office job for good, become a location-independent entrepreneur, and pursue her passion of travel. Jen then shares some of her most epic travel experiences, like visiting the Sunken Forest in Kazakhstan, seeing snow leopards and holding eagles in Kyrgyzstan, visiting the Sea Caves in Portugal, and what to be careful of when swinging off the end of the world in Ecuador. She also talks about why she is intentional about doing homestays, connecting with local people, and sharing their stories. Jen then breaks down her business model, and explains the way she makes money through multiple streams of income. She shares the tactics and techniques for how to monetize your passion, and clarifies the first steps to take if you still have a full time job. Jen also shares 3 hacks for getting cheap flights and traveling the world inexpensively. She then shares her tips for time management, optimizing productivity, and maintaining motivation in a remote work environment. And, finally, she reflects on the impact that travel has had on her and why she continues to be so passionate about it. FULL SHOW NOTES AND DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED IS AVAILABLE HERE.____________________________________See my Top 10 Apps For Digital NomadsSee my Top 10 Books For Digital NomadsSee 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 RecommendSee How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use)____________________________________ENJOYING THE SHOW?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! :)

Sep 15, 2021 • 1h 5min
150: How to Be Global, Navigate Privilege and Learn from Other Cultures with Sarah Rapp
Sarah Rapp talks about growing up in Germany in a homogenous, privileged, cultural bubble and shares her journey of becoming a world traveler, learning from other cultures, and giving back.____________________________________Subscribe to The Maverick Show’s Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.).Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________She explains why Mexico and Albania are her two favorite countries, and how joining JA Worldwide changed her life and set her on the path to becoming a global citizen. She shares her experience living in Malta, and her transformative trip to Ghana. Sarah opens up about how her social and political consciousness developed, and why she is so passionate about human rights around the world. She talks about launching the “How to Be Global’ podcast, and reflects on what she has learned from her guests over the first 100 episodes. Sarah then talks about her involvement with the UN Foundation’s “Equal Everywhere Campaign” and her role as head of PR at “Nomad’s Giving Back”. She then reflects on navigating the dynamics around her own privilege when doing global advocacy, and the importance of listening and learning from other cultures. She also reflects on the transformative impact of travel on her own life, and what travel means to her today. FULL SHOW NOTES AND DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED IS AVAILABLE HERE.____________________________________See my Top 10 Apps For Digital NomadsSee my Top 10 Books For Digital NomadsSee 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 RecommendSee How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use)____________________________________ENJOYING THE SHOW?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! :)

Sep 8, 2021 • 1h 9min
149: Getting 8 Million Downloads on the Zero to Travel Podcast, Building "Location Indie", and Hitchhiking Through Scotland with Jason Moore
Jason Moore shares his journey growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and creating an unconventional path to start traveling the world. ____________________________________Subscribe to The Maverick Show’s Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.).Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________He shares mishaps from his first backpacking trip and highlights from a hitchhiking race around Scotland. He reflects on the impact of his travel experiences and gives some tips on ‘traveling deeper’ and connecting with locals. He then talks about founding the “Location Indie” community and the “Lifestyle Launch Academy” where he has mentored hundreds of location independent entrepreneurs. Jason also talks about his podcast, Zero to Travel. He reflects on how he got over 8 million downloads and distills down some actionable tips for other podcasters. He also talks about founding “Camp Indie” and how you can attend the next live event! FULL SHOW NOTES AND DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED IS AVAILABLE HERE.____________________________________See my Top 10 Apps For Digital NomadsSee my Top 10 Books For Digital NomadsSee 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 RecommendSee How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use)____________________________________ENJOYING THE SHOW?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! :)

Sep 1, 2021 • 1h 22min
148: Ray Blakney on Sword Fighting, Bootstrapping 7-Figure Businesses, and Changing the Game with Podcast Hawk
Ray Blakney takes us on his journey being born in the Philippines, growing up mostly in Turkey, and then moving to the US for the end of high school and college.____________________________________Subscribe to The Maverick Show’s Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.).Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________He reflects on feeling culturally out of place in the U.S., and more at home in other countries. Ray opens up about how he was on the traditional corporate path and abruptly chose to change his life course, join the Peace Corps, sell all his belongings and move to Chiapas, Mexico. He tells the story of how he met his wife in Mexico, got married, and started his first business with her—opening a school together with $2,000 in savings and sleeping on the floor of the school for the first 6 months. Ray then explains how and why he moved the business online and eventually scaled “Live Lingua” to 7-figures. He reflects on the multiple 6 and 7-figures businesses he has bootstrapped, and shares his tips on hiring and managing a fully-distributed team, building company culture in a remote business, executive leadership, and the most effective SEO tactics that are working today. Ray then shares his process for bootstrapping and scaling 6 and 7 figure businesses, how he launched and grew one of the top daily language learning podcasts, and explains his groundbreaking new business, “Podcast Hawk”. Finally, he shares how he optimizes his time and productivity, what his stress management techniques are, what Kendo means to him, and his path to becoming a semi-professional sword fighter. FULL SHOW NOTES AND DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED IS AVAILABLE HERE. ____________________________________See my Top 10 Apps For Digital NomadsSee my Top 10 Books For Digital NomadsSee 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 RecommendSee How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use)____________________________________ENJOYING THE SHOW?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! :)

Aug 25, 2021 • 1h 40min
147: The Power of Storytelling, Centering BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ Travel Narratives, and Producing Fly Brother with Ernest White II
Learn about writing memoir with an edge, James Baldwin, LGBTQIA+ travel to Morocco & gender fluidity at Carnival in Rio.____________________________________Subscribe to The Maverick Show’s Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.).Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________EPISODE DESCRIPTION: Ernest White II talks about his parents’ experience growing up in the Jim Crow American South, and then reflects on his upbringing in Jacksonville, Florida, and his desire to travel the world even as a kid. He then shares his experience attending Florida A&M University, explains the historical significance of HBCUs, and opens up about how his college experience really shaped his views on the reality of institutionalized racism and policing in the U.S. Ernest then talks about his study abroad experience in the Dominican Republic and reflects on the racial and power dynamics of being able to “pass” for a local. He then shares what he loves about Sao Paulo, Brazil, and why the city is so special and unique. Ernest then offers his thoughts on the gender-fluidity on display during Carnival in Brazil and also reflects on LGBTQIA+ travel to places like Morocco where homosexuality is officially illegal. He also reflects on the unique brilliance of James Baldwin and shares his thoughts on the transformative impact of travel. Ernest then talks about the power of words, storytelling, travel writing and discusses “Panorama: The Journal of Intelligent Travel”. He explains how and why to write a memoir with an edge, and offers tips on honing the craft and becoming a great travel writer. He then talks about his journey producing the PBS Docuseries “Fly Brother with Ernest White II”, and the unique points of differentiation that separate the series from other travel shows. And, finally, he offers his thoughts and tips on how to travel the world more thoughtfully and sustainably. FULL SHOW NOTES AND DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED IS AVAILABLE HERE.____________________________________See my Top 10 Apps For Digital NomadsSee my Top 10 Books For Digital NomadsSee 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 RecommendSee How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use)____________________________________ENJOYING THE SHOW?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! :)

Aug 17, 2021 • 1h 21min
146: Travel as a Political Act, Shifting the Safety Narrative, and Founding "Wanderful" to Help All Women Travel the World with Beth Santos
Beth Santos takes us on her journey growing up in the U.S., studying abroad in Portugal, reconnecting with her heritage, and then moving to the West African island nation of Sao Tome and Principe at age 22.____________________________________Subscribe to The Maverick Show’s Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.).Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________She reflects on her work in the non-profit sector, her experiences in Sao Tome, as well as her subsequent travels to Brazil and other places around the world, and how it all contributed to the development of her social and political consciousness. Beth talks about the importance of reconsidering dominant narratives around “travel safety”, especially for solo female travelers, and explains how travel safety rankings and warnings are often overly broad and tend to homogenize entire countries. She also explains how “travel safety” discussions are frequently laden with the race, class, culture, and identity bias of the person writing the article, or being interviewed for it, and that such rankings are often limited to considering the safety concerns of only certain groups of people and not others. Beth then goes on to explain the importance of understanding travel as a political act, and how to be a more thoughtful and socially conscious traveler. Next, she explains the origins of her company, Wanderful, and how it aims to help all women and gender-diverse people travel the world. Beth talks about her choice to build a diverse team and to center intersectional anti-oppression politics into Wanderful’s community-building, empowerment of content creators, and advocacy within the travel industry. And, finally, Beth opens up about her own entrepreneurial journey as a mother with two kids, and gives tips on how to run multiple businesses as a “Start-Up Mama”. FULL SHOW NOTES AND DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED IS AVAILABLE HERE.____________________________________See my Top 10 Apps For Digital NomadsSee my Top 10 Books For Digital NomadsSee 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 RecommendSee How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use)____________________________________ENJOYING THE SHOW?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! :)


