

The Maverick Show: Remote Entrepreneurship and World Travel
Matt Bowles: Digital Nomad & Full-Time Traveler Since 2013
Meet diverse travelers and digital nomads from every continent who share their personal journey to location-independence as well as their reflections on identity, the power dynamics that shape our world, and how we can be more thoughtful, conscious travelers as we move through it. Hosted by Matt Bowles—your typical Irish-American hip hop DJ turned human rights activist turned location-independent entrepreneur turned minimalist world-traveler and podcaster—these in-depth conversations take place all over the world (often over a bottle of wine, or 2). Listen in as Matt draws out stories of their most epic adventures, and unpacks the skills, tactics, and strategies they use to build their remote businesses and design their lifestyles. Ranked the #1 Digital Nomad Podcast by Web Work Travel and the Top 1% of all podcasts by Listen Notes, each episode pulls out actionable tips and advice you can implement in your own life each week. In 2024 The Maverick Show hit the Top 100 on Apple Podcasts and ranked the #1 “Places and Travel” podcast on Apple.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 10, 2025 • 1h 1min
327: Scaling Unbound Merino to a $40 Million Business While Traveling the World as a Digital Nomad with Dan Demsky
Learn the tactics to start a remote business from scratch and scale it to $40 million/year while 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 ____________________________________In Part 2 of my interview with Dan Demsky, we pull back the curtain and do a deep dive into exactly how he built Unbound Merino from a Kickstarer to an 8-figure global brand. He breaks down the most effective digital advertising strategies and channels that are working today, as well as how to create digital ads that convert today. Dan then describes the evolution of the Unbound Merino clothing line, the launch of the women’s line, and the tactics he used to scale the company to $40 million/year in revenue. He reflects on his CEO leadership style, gives tips on building company culture with a fully distributed team, and explains how he attracts and hires top talent. Dan then gives tips on managing cash flow during periods of rapid growth, approaching business problem solving during periods of high stress, and becoming business partners with personal friends. Next, He talks about how he balances his health, relationships, and digital nomad lifestyle with being productive in a high growth business environment. Finally, Dan shares his vision for the future of Unbound Merino, reflects on what travel means to him today, and offers you a 10% discount on Unbound Merino apparel. SEE FULL SHOW NOTES WITH DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED.____________________________________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! :)

Mar 3, 2025 • 53min
326: Co-Founding Unbound Merino, Summiting Cotopaxi, and the Value of Stillness with Dan Demsky
Lean why stillness and connection to nature are so important for a high-performance 8-figure remote business owner. _____________________________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 ____________________________________Dan Demsky joins Matt from Buenos Aires for a virtual wine night. He starts off talking about growing up in Toronto, reflects on his early entrepreneurial tendencies, and then tells stories from a life changing trip to Japan. Dan then talks about his passion for travel, his motives for traveling to places like Prague and Buenos Aires, and tells stories from a transformative hike up Cotapaxi in Ecuador. He reflects on the importance of stillness and connecting with nature for high performance entrepreneurs. Dan then takes us on his journey of finding business opportunities, learning about sales, and eventually co-founding the travel fashion brand Unbound Merino. He explains the price to value of Merino wool clothing, breaks down the unique travel-conducive properties of Merino Wool, and the distinct positioning of the Unbound Merino brand. And finally, Dan offers you 10% off Unbound Merino apparel. FULL SHOW NOTES WITH DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED ARE 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! :)

Feb 24, 2025 • 1h 6min
325: Palestine Solidarity in Greenland, Birthday Parties on the Iron Ore Train, and Protesting the Iranian Regime at the World Cup with Youshita Fathi
Learn about the “Women. Life. Freedom” protests against the Iranian regime and discovering solidarity in remote places. _____________________________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 ____________________________________In Part 3 of this interview, Youshita talks about traveling back to Iran after leaving as a refugee. She explains why she creates her travel content in Farsi and reflects on her last trip back to Iran (including why she can no longer return). Youshita then explains the context for the “Women. Life. Freedom” movement against the Iranian regime, and describes her participation in the protest at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. She talks about the extent of the global media coverage that she received, and the impact of the protest. Youshita then shares stories about finding Palestine solidarity in Greenland, celebrating her birthday on the Iron Ore train in Mauritania, and gives tips on how to integrate more travel into your life if you have a full time job that is not remote. Finally, she shares her perspective on counting countries and reflects on how travel has impacted her as a person and how her view of travel has evolved over the years. FULL SHOW NOTES WITH DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED ARE 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! :)

Feb 17, 2025 • 57min
324: A Life-Changing Trip to Balochistan, Afghanistan & Pakistan, and Reflections on Working Locally in 5 Countries with Youshita Fathi
Hear stories from Balochistan, Afghanistan & Pakistan, and why Youshita wants to travel to every country in 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 ____________________________________In Part 2 of this interview, Youshita talks about her first experience living abroad on her own in London and later moving to Dubai to work as cabin crew for Emirates Airlines. She then talks about her decision to take jobs for 1-3 years at a time in different countries and reflects on living in Dubai, Portugal, Switzerland, Malta and Gibralter. Youshita shares why she loves Spain so much and offers her top recommendations. She then describes her trip to Afghanistan, why it was life-changing, and why it inspired her to travel to every country in the world. Youshita then talks about the month she spent in Pakistan, her experience crossing the land border into Iran, and her stereotype-busting trip through Balochistan. FULL SHOW NOTES WITH DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED ARE 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! :)

Feb 10, 2025 • 50min
323: Visiting Libya in 2025 and Lessons from Growing Up as an Iranian Refugee with Youshita Fathi
Learn about growing up in Iran, being a refugee in Europe & ethical considerations when traveling to low income areas. _____________________________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 ____________________________________Youshita Fathi joins Matt and they start off talking about how they met at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok and connected around their shared human rights activism. Youshita then talks about her recent trip to Jamaica, including both the importance of getting out of the tourist areas and the ethical dynamics of visiting low-income or high-crime areas. Next, she describes her recent trip to Libya in 2025 and why it was so special to her. Youshita then talks about growing up in Iran until the age of 13, and the experience of her family applying for refugee asylum in Europe. She reflects on what that experience taught her about the way refugees are treated, and what she learned from the other refugees she met during that time. Youshita then describes her experience culturally acclimating to Austria as a teenager, confronting stereotypes about Iranians, and later working at an NGO to help religious minorities emigrate from Iran. FULL SHOW NOTES WITH DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUCSSED ARE 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! :)

Feb 3, 2025 • 1h 1min
322: Evading Bandits in Ethiopia, Eating Japan, and Launching "Asa Tea" with Scott Brills.
Hear stories from traveling 2,500 miles across India by Rickshaw and driving a “Shoe-Baru” from the UK to Cape Town. _____________________________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 ____________________________________In Part 2 of this interview, Scott Brills tells the story of driving from the UK to Cape Town in cars decorated as Chuck Taylor sneakers. He describes his experience getting stuck in Aswan in Southern Egypt, and then evading Bandits in Ethiopia and plowing through a makeshift roadblock. Scott then reflects on doing the “Rickshaw Run” in India 3 times and describes the uniquely rich and immersive experience of traveling 2,500 miles across India in a tuk tuk. Next, he talks about falling in love with Japan and founding his company “Eat Japan” which runs small group tours for people to experience Japanese culture through food. Scott then talks about his distilling and brewing experience and his upcoming launch of his own tea brand, “Asa Tea”. He then offers tips on language learning, as well as business lessons from starting companies in 6 countries. Scott also shares some thoughtful advice on avoiding the pitfalls of voluntourism and the white savior complex. And finally, he reflects on the impact over 2 decades of travel has had on him and what travel means to him today. FULL SHOW NOTES WITH DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYING DISCUSSED ARE 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! :)

Jan 27, 2025 • 1h 7min
321: How to Plan Your Safari in Tanzania and Complete a Marathon in the Gobi Desert on No Training with Scott Brills
Learn how to plan your Tanzanian Safari, hire an ethical company, tip correctly, and have an amazing experience._____________________________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 ____________________________________Scott Brills starts off talking about the wine sommelier training he is currently doing and how he often structures his travel experiences around wine and other beverages. He then talks about growing up in Michigan, traveling to China at age 13, and then living abroad in Japan and Turkey. Next, Scott shares his experience doing the “Mongol Rally” and driving from the UK to Mongolia in a beater car, hitchhiking in Central Asia with a gangster, and running a marathon in the Gobi Desert with no preparation. He then talks about co-founding his company “Pamoja Safaris” in Tanzania with a local Maasai business partner. Scott then shares tips on navigating the ethical dynamics of the tourism industry in Tanzania—what you need to know about local compensation, tipping, and the neo-colonial context of safaris in Africa—so you can make responsible decisions as a customer. 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! :)

Jan 20, 2025 • 53min
320: How to Hit Refresh, Move Abroad After 30 and Adopt an Immigrant Mindset as a Superpower with Cepee Tabibian
Learn how to make a life pivot in your 30s, move abroad, reinvent yourself and become the person you really want to be._____________________________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 ____________________________________Cepee Tabibian joins Matt from Malaga, Spain and starts off talking about her parents’ journey immigrating to the U.S. from Iran and Colombia respectively, and then reflects on her own experience growing up in an immigrant home in Houston. She talks about her first trips back to Iran and Colombia as an adult, and how those identities have evolved for her over the years. Cepee then talks about her decision to hit refresh at age 35, quit her traditional job in the U.S. and move to Spain. She opens up about her journey into remote work, entrepreneurship, and how the move abroad empowered her to reinvent herself in her 30s. Cepee explains how adopting an immigrant mindset can be as superpower, and how moving abroad can give us the freedom to be more creative, try new things, and become the person we really want to be. She gives tips on building a business, designing a travel lifestyle, and explains how her community “She Hit Refresh” helps women over 30 improve their lives by moving abroad. FULL SHOW NOTES AND DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED ARE 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! :)

Jan 13, 2025 • 1h 20min
319: Matt Bowles Interviewed on Purposeful Travel and Social Justice by Brittany Braddock
The tables are turned and Matt Bowles is interviewed about purposeful travel, social justice & his digital nomad life._____________________________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 ____________________________________In this special episode, The Maverick Show host Matt Bowles is interviewed by Brittany Braddock in an episode that originally aired on the Manifest Travel podcast. Matt starts off explaining how he co-founded Maverick Investor Group as a fully remote real estate brokerage and later became a digital nomad. He reflects on his travel intentions, the synergy between travel and human rights, and how he builds community as he travels. Matt also talks about the art of podcasting and how he has refined the craft of interviewing. He then explains how his company, Maverick Investor Group, empowers you to buy “turnkey” rental properties in the best U.S. markets from anywhere. Matt reflects on building the company with a location-independent infrastructure and running it remotely for over 17 years. He then gives tips on creating immersive local travel experiences. Matt also emphasizes the importance of learning about the places we travel, and gives some tips on how we can all be more conscious travelers. Finally, he reflects on ways to create stability, productivity and harmony in the digital nomad life. FULL SHOW NOTES WITH DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED ARE 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! :)

Jan 6, 2025 • 47min
318: Navigating the Neo-Colonial Dynamics of the Travel Industry and Co-Founding the Hybrid Tours with Hira Aftab
Learn about the neo-colonial dynamics in the travel industry but how tourism can include both recreation & human rights._____________________________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 ____________________________________In part 2 of this interview, Hira Aftab starts off talking about the neo-colonial dynamics of the travel industry. She explains what prompted her to co-found the Hybrid Tours and how she integrates human rights and refugee experiences into her travel itineraries. Hira also explains the importance of studying genocides and understanding what leads to them. She then talks about her evolving connection with her Pakistani identity, learning about the 1971 Bangladesh genocide, her upcoming Hybrid Tour to Pakistan, and how you can join. Finally, Hira reflects on how travel has impacted her, give tips on how we can be more ethical travelers, and shares specific action items for how we can help stop the genocide in Palestine. FULL SHOW NOTES WITH LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED ARE 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! :)