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The Maverick Show: Global Travel Stories & Life Beyond Borders

Advertise on podcast: The Maverick Show: Global Travel Stories & Life Beyond Borders

Rating
★★★★★
5
from
218 reviews
This podcast has
412 episodes
Language
English
Date created
2018/10/08
Latest episode
2026/10/19
Average duration
62 min.
Release period
7 days

Description

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.

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Check latest episodes from The Maverick Show: Global Travel Stories & Life Beyond Borders podcast


Socially Conscious Travel Writing, Colombian Coffee Culture & Becoming a Guardian of the Places We Visit with Ocean Malandra
2026/10/19
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!
Falling in Love with Colombia: Ocean Malandra on Cali's Salsa Culture, Bogotá Graffiti, Indigenous Land Defenders & the Afro-Colombian Pacific
2026/10/12
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!
Black Travelers and the Outdoors: Lauren Gay on Nature, Adventure, Storytelling & Environmental Activism
2026/10/05
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!
From the Azores to the Arctic: Lauren Gay on Solo Travel, Reinvention & Epic Outdoor Adventures
2026/09/28
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!
Traveling the World as a Gay Couple: Ross OC Jennings on Queer Life Across Cultures & Finding Home Abroad
2026/09/21
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!
From Growing Up in China to Playing the Bagpipes in 117 Countries with Ross OC Jennings
2026/09/14
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!
Traveling Through Syria, Iran & Turkmenistan with His Dad, Telling Deeper Stories & Building 3 Million Followers with Chris Joondeph
2026/09/07
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!
Finding Home in Nigeria: Chris Joondeph on Cultural Immersion, Love & Authentic Travel
2026/08/31
Hear how a trip to Nigeria became a lifelong commitment to a country, a culture, and a completely different way of life. ============================ 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 does an American traveler go from teaching English in Thailand to building a life in Nigeria? In this episode, Chris Joondeph shares the remarkable journey that led him from growing up in the United States to living abroad, studying international affairs, maximizing airline travel to explore the world, and ultimately falling in love with Nigeria. Chris reflects on meeting his wife, embracing Yoruba traditions through their traditional wedding and marriage ceremonies, relocating to Lagos, and co-founding Authentic Traveling Tours to help visitors experience Nigeria through local relationships and genuine cultural immersion. Along the way, he shares why Lagos is best explored with locals, the places in Nigeria that have captured his heart, and how meaningful travel can grow into a life, a community, and a true sense of 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!
Summiting Mount Everest: Jason Wang on the Death Zone, Finding Clarity & Completing the Seven Summits
2026/08/24
Hear how facing fear, embracing discomfort and sharing the journey with Grace reshaped Jason's perspective on life. ============================ 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 Jason Wang takes you behind the scenes of his journey to complete the Seven Summits, from the moment a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro inspired an impossible dream to the years of preparation that culminated on the summit of Mount Everest. He shares what it was really like to spend more than 45 days on the mountain, explains the dangers of the Khumbu Icefall and the Death Zone, recounts the scariest moments of his summit push, and reveals why descending from Everest can be even more dangerous than reaching the top. Jason also reflects on his expeditions to Antarctica, visiting the South Pole, climbing alongside his relationship partner Grace, and the profound lessons these extraordinary experiences taught him about fear, resilience, relationships, and what truly matters in life. → 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!
Cyberpunk Cities in China, Music Festivals in Timbuktu & Chasing the World’s Best Food with Jason Wang
2026/08/17
Hear how selling his startup, falling in love with travel, and reconnecting with China transformed Jason's life. ============================ 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 Jason Wang shares his experience growing up in a Chinese immigrant family in the San Francisco Bay Area, building and selling a Silicon Valley startup, and tells the story of how one trip to Europe completely changed the trajectory of his life. He explains how he fell in love with travel, visited 185 countries, and why he believes now is the perfect time to explore China. He reflects on returning to his birthplace of Nanjing nearly 40 years later, and takes listeners from the futuristic skyline of Chongqing to the Ice & Snow Festival in Harbin. He also tells stories from his travels in West Africa, from music festivals in the legendary city of Timbuktu in Mali to meeting the sacred crocodiles of Burkina Faso. He then reflects on the impact of connecting with Chinese diaspora communities across Africa and around the world. Jason also shares how years of designing entire trips around food have shaped the way he experiences cultures and reveals some of the most memorable culinary experiences from his travels 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!
Showing the World the Real Nigeria: Adenike Joondeph on Hospitality, Culture & Changing the Narrative
2026/08/10
Learn why visitors leave Nigeria with transformed perceptions, lifelong friendships, and a changed view of the country. ============================ Get the Monday Minute my weekly email with 3 personal recs for travel, culture, and living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds. ============================ ON THIS EPISODE What makes Nigeria one of the world's most misunderstood travel destinations? In this episode, Adenike Joondeph (Dara) shares why she is passionate about helping visitors experience the country's warmth, hospitality, and rich cultural traditions beyond the headlines. She reflects on meeting her husband Chris, building Authentic Traveling Tours, and creating immersive journeys that introduce travelers to Lagos, Yoruba culture, local communities, and everyday life in Nigeria. Along the way, Dara discusses how international visitors' perceptions transform through genuine human connection, why more people should consider traveling to Nigeria, and how authentic cultural experiences can foster greater understanding across borders. → 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!
Traveling to Over 100 Countries on a Nigerian Passport: Adenike Joondeph on Breaking Barriers & Changing Perspectives
2026/08/03
Hear how visa barriers, border crossings, and global travel reshaped Dara's perspective about the world—and herself. ============================ Get the Monday Minute my weekly email with 3 personal recs for travel, culture, and living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds. ============================ ON THIS EPISODE What does it take to visit over 100 countries on one of the world's most restrictive passports? In this episode, Adenike Daramola Joondeph (Dara) shares her remarkable journey from growing up in Lagos and boarding her first airplane in 2017 to becoming one of Nigeria's most widely traveled people. She reflects on the visa rejections, border crossings, and bureaucratic hurdles she overcame to explore more than 100 countries, while revealing how those experiences transformed her perspective on the world, Africa, and her own identity. Along the way, Dara shares unforgettable stories from destinations across Africa, Europe, Central America, the Middle East, and Brazil, offering a powerful conversation about resilience, global travel, cultural exchange, and what it means to see the world through a Nigerian passport. → 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!
Completing the Impossible Journey: Surviving the Darkest Days, Proposing on Mount Kenya & Coming Home with Thor Pedersen
2026/07/27
Hear how an act of kindness in Cameroon, an enduring love story & relentless determination got Thor to the finish line. ============================ 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, Thor Pedersen recounts the most harrowing chapters of his nearly decade-long quest to become the first person to visit every country in the world in one unbroken journey without flying. He shares the life-threatening experiences that nearly ended his journey in Central Africa, the emotional breaking point in Cameroon that left him ready to quit, and the extraordinary act of kindness by a local moto-taxi driver that restored his determination to continue. Thor also tells the unforgettable story of proposing to his future wife atop Mount Kenya, reflects on spending two unexpected years stranded in Hong Kong during the pandemic, and reveals what it truly felt like to complete one of the greatest travel expeditions in history—and finally come home after nearly ten years on the road. → 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!
Visiting Every Country Without Flying: Thor Pedersen on Borders, Strangers & Human Connection
2026/07/20
Learn what inspired Thor's impossible journey and why he now believes a stranger is a friend you’ve never met before. ============================ 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 Thor Pedersen shares the remarkable story behind his decision to try and become the first person to visit every country in the world without flying in a single unbroken journey. He explains how his experiences as a UN peacekeeper in Eritrea and Ethiopia, living in Libya, and working in global logistics shaped his outlook before embarking on what he thought would be a four-year adventure that ultimately lasted nearly a decade. Thor also recounts unforgettable experiences traveling on cargo ships, reflects on the profound impact of crossing borders and connecting with strangers around the world, and opens up about the heartbreaking moment in Libya that forever changed the way he thinks about global inequality, migration, and our shared humanity. → 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!
Visiting Every Country by 25: Cameron Mofid on North Korean Marathons, Jail in Djibouti, and Finding Purpose
2026/07/13
Hear how completing his journey to 195 countries inspired Cameron's humanitarian work & shaped his vision for the future. ============================ Get the Monday Minute my weekly email with 3 personal recs for travel, culture, and living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds. ============================ ON THIS EPISODE Cameron Mofid completed his quest to visit every country in the world by age 25 and shares stories from some of his most extraordinary experiences across Africa, including practicing extreme exposure therapy with the Mundari tribe in South Sudan, spending time in jail in Djibouti, and navigating security threats in Somalia.  We also discuss how his travels inspired the creation of Humanity Effect, the nonprofit he founded to support schools, an orphanage, and healthcare initiatives in Nigeria.  He then tells the story of completing his final country by running the Pyongyang Marathon in North Korea. Cameron also opens up about why achieving his lifelong goal left him searching for a new sense of purpose, and how travel continues to shape his life, humanitarian work, and his mission to inspire others through public speaking and storytelling. → 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!

Podcast reviews

Read The Maverick Show: Global Travel Stories & Life Beyond Borders podcast reviews


5 out of 5
218 reviews
★★★★★
Aiesha22 2026/07/31
Travel Stories That Stick With You
This is one of the few travel podcasts that consistently goes beyond surface level destination talk and gets into personal journeys abroad. Matt is a ...
★★★★★
Cameronmofid 2026/07/08
Inspiring Stories That Stay With You
The Maverick Show is an incredible podcast that shares the stories of some of the world’s most inspiring and adventurous travelers. Matt does a fantas...
★★★★★
ZAAKIRAH NAYYAR 2026/06/29
Sports, Music, and Africa
Episode 395 naturally moved between sports, music, and African travel — three worlds that don't always get to share a room together, but in this episo...
★★★★★
izzmarissa 2026/05/18
Travel & Culture Lovers, This One's For You
I’ve been listening to The Maverick Show Podcast lately and genuinely enjoying it way more than I expected to. Matt has this interviewing style that ...
★★★★★
pstravelstories 2026/05/13
A Global Tapestry & Library of Traveler’s Stories
When generations 100+ years from now hopefully stumble upon this gem, they will hear how travelers, nomads, and global citizens alike have navigated t...
★★★★★
Chewswisely 2026/05/13
The Travel Podcast Everyone Needs But Not Enough People Know About
If you're tired of travel content that stays surface level, "here's the best hotel, here's what to eat," The Maverick Show is the antidote. Matt Bowle...
★★★★★
SDMamaBear161616 2026/05/10
Wanderlust Warning (in the best way)
Really enjoyed this podcast — authentic, insightful, and dangerously inspiring for anyone with even a mild case of wanderlust. Feels more like hearing...
★★★★★
BlueGirl44 2026/04/04
A Real, Honest Take on the Many DYNAMIC Aspects of Digital Nomad Life
I’ve listened to a lot of digital nomad podcasts, but The Maverick Show Podcast stands out for how candid & authentic the interviews feel.🤌 You don...
★★★★★
Mya Eliza 2026/01/16
I love hearing from other nomads and travelers
The Maverick Show has a great mix of topics with thoughtful perspectives. I always learn something new, and it’s one of my go-to listens for plane rid...
★★★★★
Kylezzy 2026/01/16
Very Insightful Episodes
I enjoyed listening to The Maverick Show and hearing stories namely from Nicole and Eileen! The way that Matt asks such insightful questions allowing ...
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