The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup

Mailyn Salabarria, a Cuban-born entrepreneur and communicator who fled Cuba as an adult, shares firsthand accounts of life under Cuban communism. She discusses how the regime maintains power, Cuba’s global propaganda and security networks, whether Cuba could follow Venezuela’s path, and what rebuilding a post-communist Cuba would demand.

They dissect two striking Davos speeches and what they reveal about global power and trust. They explore a sudden push for national self-sufficiency in food, water, and energy. They unpack negotiation theater around Greenland and the strategic value of rare earths. They examine a new hemisphere-first doctrine and the economic consequences of onshoring and tariffs.

The discussion revolves around Trump’s renewed ambition to acquire Greenland, exploring the geopolitical implications of such a move. The hosts argue that Europe is losing relevance in global politics and examine the shifting dynamics of U.S. military spending. They also cover the recent changes in St. Kitts' citizenship-by-investment program and new U.S. visa bond requirements aimed at preventing overstays. The topics highlight a rapidly evolving world order and the increasing urgency for global mobility.

Colombia's evolving reality is far from the negative headlines that dominate perceptions. Hosts share insights from their recent exploration of Medellín, praising its vibrant culture and infrastructure. They highlight the warmth of locals from previously misrepresented countries and discuss investment opportunities that emerged during their tour. A key moment included an exclusive meeting with a presidential candidate, shedding light on Colombia's political climate. The hosts encourage prospective expats to experience these transformations firsthand.

Marc Clair, a co-host and commentator on geopolitics, joins the discussion on the significant arrest of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. They delve into the implications for international law and regional politics, arguing that this event isn't a typical regime change. The duo speculates on U.S. motives, the role of China and Cuba, and potential negotiations moving forward. They also examine the impact on Venezuelan diaspora and the shift towards pro-business reforms in Latin America, all while contrasting this situation with past U.S. interventions.

Longtime listeners of this podcast know that I have been talking about Latin America as the last real bastion of freedom for years. And the recent political shift away from its socialist past is clear evidence of this.  In today’s episode, we take a look back at the highlights from the past year’s discussions of Latin America’s rising trend of freedom-oriented leaders like Javier Milei, Santiago Peña, Nayib Bukele, Jose Raúl Mulino, and more. You’ll see the clear evidence of what I’ve been shouting from the rooftops for years now: Latin America is the future. Enjoy!   IN TODAY’S EPISODE Listen in as I explain why Latin America has shifted away from socialism and towards pro-business and pro-freedom leadershipHear my breakdown of Javier Milei’s Davos speech and Argentina’s libertarian resetLearn why Paraguay and Paraguay have become top Plan-B destinations, in no small part thanks to their current leadershipFind out why I've been calling Latin America the future hub for freedom for years now, and how these leaders are helping prove me more correct than even I could have imagined STAY IN TOUCH! Stay informed about the latest news affecting the expat world and receive a steady stream of my thoughts and opinions on geopolitics by subscribing to our newsletter. You will receive the EMS Pulse® newsletter and the weekly Expat Sunday Times; sign up now and receive my FREE special report, “Plan B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.”   WEALTH, FREEDOM & PASSPORTS CONFERENCE, MARCH 6-7, 2026 Join us in Panama City from March 6-7, 2026, for our second annual in-person event, the Wealth, Freedom and Passports Conference! Prices go up after January 9th, and space is very limited, so reserve your tickets right away.   RELATED EPISODES 384: Panama’s Adult in the Room: President José Raúl Mulino 365: The Bukele Effect: Inside El Salvador’s Radical Transformation 355: Santiago Peña’s Paraguay: Latin America’s New Freedom Frontier 352: Javier Milei’s Argentina: What It Means For Expats And FreedomMentioned in this episode:No Plan-B Without the LanguageIf you’re planning to move overseas—or even just set up your offshore Plan-B—learning the local language isn’t optional. It’s protection. It’s access. It’s power. StoryLearning makes it easy to start today, from home, by immersing you in real stories—not grammar drills. Spanish, Portuguese, French, and more—learn the language the smart way before you land. Go to StoryLearningCourses.com.Story Learning CoursesGold in the Caribbean—No Bank Can Touch ItFiat is failing. Banks are cracking. And smart investors are moving their gold offshore—outside the system. I’ve partnered with a fully insured private vault in the Caribbean where you can buy, store, and protect physical gold… legally and securely. The entire account opening is done online—fast, private, and no nonsense. If you’re serious about protecting your wealth, get the details now at ExpatMoney.com/goldOffshore Gold & SilverJoin Me In Panama For Our Next TourI have great news. After many meetings and explanations, the Panamanian government has agreed to keep the Investors Visa at a $300k Real Estate investment instead of nearly doubling the amount required, as they said they would. This is a massive win for our community who wants to move to or invest in Panama, but I am not sure how long this will last… If you have been thinking about Panama, then I want to make an invitation to you today. Come join me for a special four-day tour to see if the country I call home is right for you and your family. We have just released the next set of trip dates. You can find out more at ExpatMoney.com/fly. Come visit me and the Expat Money team, get a feel for the country and see if Panama makes sense for investment or as a new home.Panama Fly'n Buy Real Estate TourNo Plan-B Without the LanguageIf you’re planning to move overseas—or even just set up your offshore Plan-B—learning the local language isn’t optional. It’s protection. It’s access. It’s power. StoryLearning makes it easy to start today, from home, by immersing you in real stories—not grammar drills. Spanish, Portuguese, French, and more—learn the language the smart way before you land. Go to StoryLearningCourses.com.Story Learning CoursesGold in the Caribbean—No Bank Can Touch ItFiat is failing. Banks are cracking. And smart investors are moving their gold offshore—outside the system. I’ve partnered with a fully insured private vault in the Caribbean where you can buy, store, and protect physical gold… legally and securely. The entire account opening is done online—fast, private, and no nonsense. If you’re serious about protecting your wealth, get the details now at ExpatMoney.com/goldOffshore Gold & Silver

Most people plan for retirement. Some plan for their children. Almost no one plans for the next 100 years. In today’s episode, I’m joined by my colleague Marc Clair to discuss our recent Family Legacy Mastermind in St. Kitts. We dive into 100-year thinking, dynastic structures, and preparing heirs to receive wealth—plus a few recent travel stories along the way. Enjoy!   IN TODAY’S EPISODE Listen in to hear why I describe the airport in Miami as the “seventh layer of hell”Find out why I reject the “die with nothing” mindset and see it as a failure of legacy planningLearnwhichforms of capitalI believe matter more than money aloneHear how I use family constitutions, governance, and trusts to build generational resilience   STAY IN TOUCH! Stay informed about the latest news affecting the expat world and receive a steady stream of my thoughts and opinions on geopolitics by subscribing to our newsletter. You will receive the EMS Pulse® newsletter and the weekly Expat Sunday Times; sign up now and receive my FREE special report, “Plan B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.”   WEALTH, FREEDOM & PASSPORTS CONFERENCE, MARCH 6-7, 2026 Join us in Panama City from March 6-7, 2026, for our second annual in-person event, the Wealth, Freedom and Passports Conference! Prices go up after January 9th, and space is very limited, so reserve your tickets right away.   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Paraguay September 2025 Tour Video St. Kitts Family Legacy Mastermind Expat Money Tours Expat Money Membership Breakdown   RELATED EPISODES 383: Central Asia: A Chaotic Journey Across an Overlooked Region 373: Guyana: A Trip to the World’s Fastest-Growing Economy 273: Discover Paraguay: An In-Depth Breakdown Of Our Scouting TripMentioned in this episode:Gold in the Caribbean—No Bank Can Touch ItFiat is failing. Banks are cracking. And smart investors are moving their gold offshore—outside the system. I’ve partnered with a fully insured private vault in the Caribbean where you can buy, store, and protect physical gold… legally and securely. The entire account opening is done online—fast, private, and no nonsense. If you’re serious about protecting your wealth, get the details now at ExpatMoney.com/goldOffshore Gold & SilverNo Plan-B Without the LanguageIf you’re planning to move overseas—or even just set up your offshore Plan-B—learning the local language isn’t optional. It’s protection. It’s access. It’s power. StoryLearning makes it easy to start today, from home, by immersing you in real stories—not grammar drills. Spanish, Portuguese, French, and more—learn the language the smart way before you land. Go to StoryLearningCourses.com.Story Learning CoursesJoin Me In Panama For Our Next TourI have great news. After many meetings and explanations, the Panamanian government has agreed to keep the Investors Visa at a $300k Real Estate investment instead of nearly doubling the amount required, as they said they would. This is a massive win for our community who wants to move to or invest in Panama, but I am not sure how long this will last… If you have been thinking about Panama, then I want to make an invitation to you today. Come join me for a special four-day tour to see if the country I call home is right for you and your family. We have just released the next set of trip dates. You can find out more at ExpatMoney.com/fly. Come visit me and the Expat Money team, get a feel for the country and see if Panama makes sense for investment or as a new home.Panama Fly'n Buy Real Estate TourGold in the Caribbean—No Bank Can Touch ItFiat is failing. Banks are cracking. And smart investors are moving their gold offshore—outside the system. I’ve partnered with a fully insured private vault in the Caribbean where you can buy, store, and protect physical gold… legally and securely. The entire account opening is done online—fast, private, and no nonsense. If you’re serious about protecting your wealth, get the details now at ExpatMoney.com/goldOffshore Gold & SilverNo Plan-B Without the LanguageIf you’re planning to move overseas—or even just set up your offshore Plan-B—learning the local language isn’t optional. It’s protection. It’s access. It’s power. StoryLearning makes it easy to start today, from home, by immersing you in real stories—not grammar drills. Spanish, Portuguese, French, and more—learn the language the smart way before you land. Go to StoryLearningCourses.com.Story Learning Courses

The conventional path for young men is breaking down. College is more expensive than ever, jobs are disappearing faster than degrees can keep up, and an entire generation is being pushed into debt, confusion, and dependence before they’ve even had a chance to build real-world skills. More parents and young men are starting to ask a hard question: “If this system is failing, what actually works?” In today’s episode, I am joined by entrepreneur, rancher, and author Matt Smith to discuss The Preparation, his new book co-written with my friend and mentor Doug Casey. We break down how real competence creates confidence, why character matters more than credentials, and how skill acquisition, mentorship, and responsibility can shape capable, independent individuals inside a system designed to produce the opposite.  Enjoy!   IN TODAY’S EPISODE Listen in to hear why the traditional college path is failing young menLearn why exposure to risk and responsibility builds judgment that schools never teachHear why character and responsibility matter far more than credentialsFinish this episode with a clear alternative to raising dependent boys in an increasingly unstable world   STAY IN TOUCH! Stay informed about the latest news affecting the expat world and receive a steady stream of my thoughts and opinions on geopolitics by subscribing to our newsletter. You will receive the EMS Pulse® newsletter and the weekly Expat Sunday Times; sign up now and receive my FREE special report, “Plan B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.”   WEALTH, FREEDOM & PASSPORTS CONFERENCE, MARCH 6-7, 2026 Join us in Panama City from March 6-7, 2026, for our second annual in-person event, the Wealth, Freedom and Passports Conference! Prices go up after January 2nd, and space is very limited, so reserve your tickets right away.   RELATED EPISODES 382: Doug Casey’s Crystal Ball for 2026: The One Conversation You Can’t Afford to Miss 378: Why Dropping Out of School Was the Best Investment I Ever Made 289: Lessons From Homeschooling Five Children Overseas - Joshua Sheats    Mentioned in this episode:Gold in the Caribbean—No Bank Can Touch ItFiat is failing. Banks are cracking. And smart investors are moving their gold offshore—outside the system. I’ve partnered with a fully insured private vault in the Caribbean where you can buy, store, and protect physical gold… legally and securely. The entire account opening is done online—fast, private, and no nonsense. If you’re serious about protecting your wealth, get the details now at ExpatMoney.com/goldOffshore Gold & SilverNo Plan-B Without the LanguageIf you’re planning to move overseas—or even just set up your offshore Plan-B—learning the local language isn’t optional. It’s protection. It’s access. It’s power. StoryLearning makes it easy to start today, from home, by immersing you in real stories—not grammar drills. Spanish, Portuguese, French, and more—learn the language the smart way before you land. Go to StoryLearningCourses.com.Story Learning CoursesJoin Me In Panama For Our Next TourI have great news. After many meetings and explanations, the Panamanian government has agreed to keep the Investors Visa at a $300k Real Estate investment instead of nearly doubling the amount required, as they said they would. This is a massive win for our community who wants to move to or invest in Panama, but I am not sure how long this will last… If you have been thinking about Panama, then I want to make an invitation to you today. Come join me for a special four-day tour to see if the country I call home is right for you and your family. We have just released the next set of trip dates. You can find out more at ExpatMoney.com/fly. Come visit me and the Expat Money team, get a feel for the country and see if Panama makes sense for investment or as a new home.Panama Fly'n Buy Real Estate TourGold in the Caribbean—No Bank Can Touch ItFiat is failing. Banks are cracking. And smart investors are moving their gold offshore—outside the system. I’ve partnered with a fully insured private vault in the Caribbean where you can buy, store, and protect physical gold… legally and securely. The entire account opening is done online—fast, private, and no nonsense. If you’re serious about protecting your wealth, get the details now at ExpatMoney.com/goldOffshore Gold & SilverNo Plan-B Without the LanguageIf you’re planning to move overseas—or even just set up your offshore Plan-B—learning the local language isn’t optional. It’s protection. It’s access. It’s power. StoryLearning makes it easy to start today, from home, by immersing you in real stories—not grammar drills. Spanish, Portuguese, French, and more—learn the language the smart way before you land. Go to StoryLearningCourses.com.Story Learning Courses

A deep-dive on Panama’s shift toward steadier, competence-driven governance under José Raúl Mulino. Discussion covers sovereignty moves around the Canal, recalibrated ties with the U.S. and China, and controversial mining and security decisions. Coverage of Panama joining Mercosur and how the Qualified Investor Visa, special passport and tax perks reshape residency and mobility for investors.

Marc Clair, co-host and travel enthusiast, joins to discuss Mikkel's whirlwind journey through Turkey and Central Asia. Discover why Turkey is their base for exploration. Mikkel shares his shocking experiences in Kyrgyzstan, highlighting its stunning landscapes and friendly locals. The podcast unpacks the chaotic airline troubles with Qatar Airways and the challenges faced at the airport. Mikkel also describes delivering a keynote in Prague while feeling under the weather, showcasing how travel fosters freedom despite the hurdles.