Nomadtopia Radio: Digital Nomad and Expat Lifestyle

There have been some big changes in my life since Jill Sessa interviewed me for Episode 200 at the end of 2022, so I'm back with some updates! Tune in to learn what's been going on, why I'm feeling the need for more space in my life and work, and how I'm creating that space. I share: The big trip we're gearing up for A major decision I've made about Nomadtopia(R) A life-changing diagnosis I recently received (don't worry, I'm okay!) And more Download your free guide, ​​10 Things You Need to Do before Becoming a Nomad: https://www.nomadtopia.com/guide Ready to get more ideas, inspiration, and strategies for location-independent living? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platforms so you'll get updated anytime a new episode is released! Let's connect! Get to know me better over on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nomadamy or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Nomadtopia/.

Simply deciding where to travel as a nomad can be tricky. Every country has different entry and visa laws, and it's easier to travel with some passports than others. Unfortunately, people who have to apply for a visa to go almost anywhere face an unnecessary and unfair barrier to seeing the world. In today's episode, my guest is Vangile Makwakwa, a South African, a nomad, and a money coach. We talk about discriminatory visa processes, her personal nomad style, her favorite countries she's visited, and how to navigate money trauma when moving abroad. In this episode: The different home bases Vangile has had around the world depending on where she is in lifeWhy her podcast focuses primarily on helping Black women invest in real estate in African countries How her South African passport influences where she goes and why she primarily goes to countries that are more welcoming to Black people The discrimination of some Western countries' visa processes, making it difficult for Black and Brown people to explore the world Vangile's work as a money coach, her focus on ancestral money trauma, and how our relationship with money connects to our nervous system How moving to another country affects your finances For full show notes, resources, and links go to www.nomadtopia.com/202. Download your free guide, ​​10 Things You Need to Do before Becoming a Nomad: https://www.nomadtopia.com/guide Ready to get more ideas, inspiration, and strategies for location-independent living? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platforms so you'll get updated anytime a new episode is released! Let's connect! Get to know me better over on Instagram https:www.instagram.com/nomadamy or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Nomadtopia/.

As we enter a new year and the podcast hits 200 episodes, I'm reflecting on my own Nomadtopia journey. I invited my friend Jill Sessa back to interview me on my experiences as a nomad. In this episode, we talk about how my Nomadtopia has changed since Jill last interviewed me in 2018. I share what's new and upcoming in my work as well as how my lifestyle and my perspective on location independence has evolved over the years, especially since our twins were born in 2019. We also discuss some of the more challenging aspects of navigating life and family as a nomad. In this episode: What location independence means to me How having kids makes being a nomad and planning adventures a different experience The effects of the pandemic on nomadic life (for me personally and in general) What my local community is like and how I'm approaching schooling for my kids How the future plans we're considering are different from the way we've approached traveling and living abroad in the past How we settled into a groove of working and spending time with our kids, and how things shifted when they started school What's new and exciting in the Nomadtopia Collective, and the importance of non-judgmental community for nomads What I'm learning about how to navigate being a nomad with aging parents Upcoming workshops I'll be offering about handling important aspects of location independence For full show notes, resources, and links go to www.nomadtopia.com/200 Download your free guide, ​​10 Things You Need to Do before Becoming a Nomad: https://www.nomadtopia.com/guide Ready to get more ideas, inspiration, and strategies for location-independent living? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platforms so you'll get updated anytime a new episode is released! Let's connect! Get to know me better over on Instagram https:www.instagram.com/nomadamy or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Nomadtopia/.

Do you find it difficult to resist buying all the beautiful and interesting things you encounter on your travels? Today I'm sharing my experience—including the story of a bedspread I've been lugging around for years—and some tips for finding the right approach for you. Check out my new video background that I mention in the episode: https://www.instagram.com/p/CjTsHXmpTqB/ Download your free guide, 10 Things You Need to Do before Becoming a Nomad: https://www.nomadtopia.com/guide Learn more about the Nomadtopia Collective at https://www.nomadtopia.com/collective Ready to get more ideas, inspiration, and strategies for location-independent living? Subscribe to Nomadtopia Radio on your favorite platforms so you'll get updated anytime a new episode is released!

The nomadic lifestyle tends to go in cycles. On the road for a few years, in a permanent location for a few years, back and forth as life brings different wants and needs. Complacency followed by a catalyst for change. In today's episode, I'm talking with Michael Boyink, who spent eight years on the road in an RV followed by four years living in a small town. He and his wife are now on the brink of their next big move. He shares what it was like living in an RV, how his kids managed it, and navigating the decisions that come with being a nomad. In this episode: Michael's journey in and out of nomad life over the past 10+ years How to navigate the up and down cycles that inevitably come with a nomadic lifestyle Why Michael and his wife decided on the Tulsa Remote Program How burnout contributed to their need for change How their kids reacted and adapted to this lifestyle For full show notes, resources, and links go to www.nomadtopia.com/196 Download your free guide, ​​10 Things You Need to Do before Becoming a Nomad: https://www.nomadtopia.com/guide Ready to get more ideas, inspiration, and strategies for location-independent living? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platforms so you'll get updated anytime a new episode is released! Let's connect! Get to know me better over on Instagram https:www.instagram.com/nomadamy or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Nomadtopia/.

Nomads can experience grief in many forms: grief for the places we've loved and left, grief for saying goodbye to the friends we meet during our travels, and of course grief for those we lose to death. Losing a loved one is always life changing, but it can be especially difficult for those of us living and traveling oceans away from home. In this episode, I'm joined by Charlene Lam, grief coach and founder of The Grief Gallery Charlene Lam, who came into this work after losing her mom while she was abroad. She explains how grief can be a unique experience for nomads, but also how grief feels different for everyone. Charlene also shares her advice for creating a plan in case a family member dies or has a medical emergency while you're away. In this episode: Why Charlene loves the unique combination of stability and flexibility in her nomad life How she created a career in grief work after losing her mother suddenly Navigating the emotional challenges that come with living far from your loved ones Why it's important to have conversations about loss before it happens How to create a plan in case a loved one dies or needs medical care while you're away How to stay connected with family from anywhere Creating a support network of people back home to help in case of emergencies How different people process grief, and respecting how you process grief Where to find help and resources if you're experiencing grief For full show notes, resources, and links go to www.nomadtopia.com/194 Download your free guide, ​​10 Things You Need to Do before Becoming a Nomad: https://www.nomadtopia.com/guide Ready to get more ideas, inspiration, and strategies for location-independent living? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platforms so you'll get updated anytime a new episode is released! Let's connect! Get to know me better over on Instagram https:www.instagram.com/nomadamy or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Nomadtopia/.

You never know when a new place might take your breath away. And sometimes, it's the most unlikely destinations that produce the most profound impacts in our lives. As you'll hear in today's episode, even a spur-of-the-moment trip can create a lifelong passion for a place. In this episode, I'm joined by the founder of Expat in Croatia, Sara Dyson. She shares her story of moving to and falling in love with Croatia, even though it wasn't her first choice of destination. She explains some of the bureaucratic and logistical challenges of moving to a different country, and we also talk about the impact digital nomads and expats can have on a place and how to be sensitive to these issues. In this episode: How Sara turned her childhood dreams of living in Europe into a reality How she decided to move to Croatia, even though it wasn't her first choice Why Sara created Expat in Croatia, the resource she wishes she had when she first moved overseas Making the leap from employee to entrepreneur How Sara has fallen in love with Croatia and made it her home in the past ten years Who Croatia is a good fit for, and how most foreigners experience the country Types of visas and permits available to people who want to live in Croatia How to be sensitive to the impact digital nomads and expats have on a place's economy and real estate market For full show notes, resources, and links go to www.nomadtopia.com/192 Download your free guide, ​​10 Things You Need to Do before Becoming a Nomad: https://www.nomadtopia.com/guide Ready to get more ideas, inspiration, and strategies for location-independent living? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platforms so you'll get updated anytime a new episode is released! Let's connect! Get to know me better over on Instagram @nomadamy or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Nomadtopia/.

Working with your spouse poses a unique set of challenges. When you throw full-time RVing into the mix, it becomes an even bigger adventure. But as you'll hear on today's episode, there's nothing quite so freeing as hitting the road with the person you love to live untethered by your location or work. In this episode, I'm joined by wives and business partners Jennie and Meredyth Mustafa-Julock for a conversation about living and working together on the road. Jennie and Meredyth are sharing their story of giving up their big-city lifestyle for one of full-time RV travel. Plus, they're sharing their advice for sharing responsibilities and working together in an RV. In this episode: Why Jennie and Meredyth decided to become digital nomads How they adjusted to the RV lifestyle as two women who'd never camped before How the RV lifestyle allowed Jennie and Meredyth to become more minimalist How to do a "test drive" of the nomadic lifestyle to make sure it's a good fit How Jennie and Meredyth prepared for and researched the nomadic lifestyle What you learn from working and living with your partner in a small space Jennie and Meredyth's advice for couples who want to make a similar life change How to separate responsibilities while on the road and find your traveling flow For full show notes, resources, and links go to www.nomadtopia.com/190. Download your free guide, ​​10 Things You Need to Do before Becoming a Nomad: https://www.nomadtopia.com/guide Ready to get more ideas, inspiration, and strategies for location-independent living? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platforms so you'll get updated anytime a new episode is released! Let's connect! Get to know me better over on Instagram @nomadamy or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Nomadtopia/.

Nomadtopia Radio is all about showing you that there's more than one way to live a nomadic life. Even the most unlikely people can become full-time travelers or create their own unique version of a location-independent lifestyle. In this episode, I'm joined by wife, mother, business owner, and full-time sailor Erin Carey. She shares her journey from suburban Australia to living on a yacht with her husband and three children. We talk about the realities of living on a boat at sea or in a marina, how she balances family and work, and her advice for anyone considering a similar courageous leap. In this episode: How Erin and her family came to live on a yacht with no prior sailing experience The resources and research Erin turned to at the beginning of her journey How your daily life and community changes as you travel around the world How Erin creates balance between her family life and her business Why even full-time nomads should create routines that work for them How Erin runs her business from all over the world How entering a country on a boat is different from flying or driving How COVID-19 has affected Erin and her family What to consider before you and your family commit to a nomadic lifestyle For full show notes, resources, and links go to www.nomadtopia.com/188. Ready to get more ideas, inspiration, and strategies for location-independent living? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platforms so you'll get updated anytime a new episode is released! Let's connect! Get to know me better over on Instagram @nomadamy or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Nomadtopia/.

When most of us think of real estate investing, we think of late-night phone calls from tenants, constant repairs, and huge price tags. But in reality, the barrier to entry in the real estate world is much lower than we think it is, and with the right systems in place, it can become a fantastic form of (mostly) passive income, even for full-time travelers. In this episode, I was joined by nomadic real estate investor Sarah Weaver who shared how she started a career in real estate investment while traveling the globe. In this episode: Buying your first property as a real estate investor How COVID-19 affected Sarah's path The benefits of creating passive income as a nomad Common misconceptions about real estate investing How the nomadic lifestyle can actually help your finances How to manage your properties from anywhere in the world What to consider and look for when investing in rental properties For full show notes, resources, and links go to www.nomadtopia.com/186. Ready to get more ideas, inspiration, and strategies for location-independent living? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platforms so you'll get updated anytime a new episode is released! Let's connect! Get to know me better over on Instagram @nomadamy or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Nomadtopia/.

Ever thought about your relationship with the places you visit and whether you're doing more harm than good? Are you aware of the incredible privilege inherent in the lifestyles we live (or aspire to live) as nomads? I invite you to listen in as I discuss this topic with guest Amanda Machado. This particular episode has more questions than answers, but they're questions I think more of us need to be asking. They can help inform how we travel and where, the ways in which we can try to avoid inflicting harm on others and their communities, and lots more. In this episode: How Amanda got into her work around privilege and travel What people can do to break barriers of privilege The steps you can take for genuine action vs. performative action Inherent privileges that people don't realize they have How to take part in justice-oriented travel Questions she sat with to examine and acknowledge her privilege For full show notes, resources, and links go to www.nomadtopia.com/184. Ready to get more ideas, inspiration, and strategies for location-independent living? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platforms so you'll get updated anytime a new episode is released! Let's connect! Get to know me better over on Instagram @nomadamy or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Nomadtopia/.

It's been a year since our Grounded Nomads series about nomads who were scrambling to get home or to find a safe place to land as the world was shutting down. Here we are a year later, and I felt it was time for an update on what being a nomad during the pandemic has looked like. It's different for everyone of course, but are people still creating and living their own Nomadtopia during the pandemic? For nomads, this past year brought many disruptions. Some were grounded in one place, some are just starting their journey, while others have changed how they travel to different locations all while navigating travel restrictions. The specifics are unique, but the determination to create and live our own version of Nomadtopia remains. In this episode, I'm sharing my own updated journey and how other nomads are shifting their plans as we navigate this unique time. In this episode: The shifts nomads have made during the pandemic Some of the disruptions nomads have experienced An update on my own Nomadtopia How the pandemic has clarified my priorities Why now is a good time to take action toward your own Nomadtopia How the Nomadtopia Collective can support your location-independent lifestyle How to share your own Nomadtopia story For full show notes, resources, and links go to www.nomadtopia.com/182. Ready to get more ideas, inspiration, and strategies for location-independent living? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platforms so you'll get updated anytime a new episode is released! Let's connect! Get to know me better over on Instagram @nomadamy or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Nomadtopia/.

Do you have your legal ducks in a row for your nomadic lifestyle? As an online entrepreneur, freelancer, or even an employee living a nomad life, you need to know about the legal concerns that come along with being a digital nomad. In this episode, my guest is Layne Lyons JD, U.S. lawyer, business protector for women entrepreneurs, and creator of The Legal UMBRELLA Method™. Layne explains legal issues you need to know about including trademarking, domicile, tourist visas, and other laws you should be aware of when traveling in foreign countries. In this episode: Layne's experience of being nomadic for the past 19 years Mistakes to avoid as an online entrepreneur What domicile is and what you need to know about it What you need to know about contracts and domicile How to navigate trademarks globally The best practices for trademarking What you need to know about working on a tourist visa The importance of knowing the laws in the countries you visit For full show notes, resources, and links go to www.nomadtopia.com/180 Ready to get more ideas, inspiration, and strategies for location-independent living? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platforms so you'll get updated anytime a new episode is released! Let's connect! Get to know me better over on Instagram @nomadamy or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Nomadtopia/.