Citizens of the World: A Stoic Podcast for Curious Travelers

Little Estonia, with less than 1.5 million people, has been running itself like a tech company for about two decades now, giving everyone a digital ID and letting them access almost all government services online. Now they’re letting foreigners become e-Residents of their digital nation, and this week, I'll teach you how you can become one (find links to what we talk about on postcardacademy.co)   Last week, you heard some great travel advice from Julia Barrett, an American who moved to Tallinn to help develop e-Residency 2.0. This week, we’re doing a deep dive on how you can become an e-Resident of Estonia, or even a resident in real life.    Even if you’re not interested in becoming an e-Resident, you might be fascinated to learn how Estonia, a former communist state until the Soviet Union collapsed in the 1990s, became the most digital country in the world. I’ll be talking to Julia again, and to her colleague, Alex Wellman, an American, born and raised in Michigan, and who now heads up marketing for e-Residency.    I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Ready to travel? Sign up for my newsletter and get your free guide to cheap airfare.    Thank you so much for listening to this show. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.   This podcast is brought to you by Audible. Not a member yet? Postcard Academy listeners can get a FREE audiobook and a 30-day free trial if you sign up via audibletrial.com/postcard   This podcast is also brought to you by World Nomads. Need simple and flexible travel insurance? Get a cost estimate from World Nomads using their handy calculator at postcardacademy.co/insuranceDo you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot? I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.

Wired magazine has called Estonia “the most advanced digital society in the world.” The President of Estonia (a woman — yay!)  just published an article about how “Estonia is running its country like a tech company” and that “governments must learn to provide public services as efficiently as Amazon sells books: no physical presence, no cost of application, no opening hours.”   Sounds pretty great to me. And to Julia Barrett, an American who was so excited by what’s going on in Estonia that she moved there to help develop e-Residency 2.0. E-Residency is a government program that bestows e-Residency to non-Estonians around the world. Julia also represents e-Residency in its partnership with the United Nations.   In this episode, Julia talks about what’s like to live in the world’s most digital society. And how despite all the tech, Estonians still cherish nature and traditions like jam making and baking black bread. Find links to the places we discuss on postcardacademy.co   I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Ready to travel? Sign up for my newsletter and get your free guide to cheap airfare.    Thank you so much for listening to this show. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.   This podcast is brought to you by Audible. Not a member yet? Postcard Academy listeners can get a FREE audiobook and a 30-day free trial if you sign up via audibletrial.com/postcardDo you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot? I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.

Matthew Dicks, a five-time Moth GrandSLAM storytelling winner, shares advice on telling travel stories that actually interest people. He discusses the power of relatable stories, the structure of storytelling, and the founding of Speak Up, a storytelling organization in Hartford. Additionally, he explores the power of storytelling and vulnerability in dating and shares a spontaneous road trip story to see a two-headed cow. Check out his book and podcast for more storytelling advice!

Anna Mazurek recently published the book Good with Money, in which she shares how she “maximizes her savings to travel the world with no debt, all on an average income of $30,000.”   Not only do we talk about actions we can take to make better financial decisions, Anna also shares the best credit card for travelers; her favorite bank, which refunds any ATM fee you incur on your travels; the vagabond’s guide to hacking the U.S. Healthcare system, and more. (find links at postcardacademy.co)   Anna is also a professional photographer who’s been globetrotting for all sorts of magazines, including Travel + Leisure and Rolling Stone and she runs photo trips for National Geographic’s Student Expeditions.    Special shout out to listener Mickiezada, who left the following iTunes review recently:    “Sarah has an inviting and calming voice as she discusses facts and personal considerations and interviews people from around the world. I’m a new listener, and a podcaster myself. I have subscribed to this one! Love, love, love the interviews and information. “ Mickiezada, you little peach!    Here’s how to leave a review on iTunes, if you’re in a generous spirit :)   I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Ready to travel? Sign up for my newsletter and get your free guide to cheap airfare.    Thank you so much for listening to this show. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best (I made you a Spotify playlist) https://open.spotify.com/user/r5nnb86agxqox07vhx8bcz4gy/playlist/67KtZnALpBwUZmB0Gi6o6l?si=OAxgDI8iS4mNMIIbhJlWFg   This podcast is brought to you by Audible. Not a member yet? Postcard Academy listeners can get a FREE audiobook and a 30-day free trial if you sign up via audibletrial.com/postcard   This podcast is also brought to you by World Nomads. Need simple and flexible travel insurance? Get a cost estimate from World Nomads using their handy calculator at postcardacademy.co/insuranceDo you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot? I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.

Ever dream of being a travel writer? Who hasn’t?! My guest Nardia Plumridge actually made it happen. In addition to writing for global publications, including Lonely Planet, Nardia also penned a book — Lost in Florence — that is due out this spring. In this episode, Nardia shares how she broke into the travel writing biz and offers tips on how to get your own work published.    I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Ready to travel? Sign up for my newsletter and get your free guide to cheap airfare.    Thank you so much for listening to this show. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.   This podcast is brought to you by Audible. Not a member yet? Postcard Academy listeners can get a FREE audiobook and a 30-day free trial if you sign up via audibletrial.com/postcard   This podcast is also brought to you by World Nomads. Need simple and flexible travel insurance? Get a cost estimate from World Nomads using their handy calculator at postcardacademy.co/insuranceDo you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot? I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.

Bangkok can feel frenetic and overwhelming to newcomers who imagined Thailand to be all gorgeous temples and beaches. In Bangkok, you’re more likely to see luxury buildings going up next to shacks and people sitting in traffic for hours. But don’t give up on it just yet — once you get off the main streets, chances are you’ll love this vibrant city. Today’s guest, travel writer Nardia Plumridge, is here to share her best insider travel recommendations for Thailand’s capital city. (find links to everything we discuss on postcard academy.co)   An Australian expat, Nardia has lived around the world and writes for different travel publications, including Lonely Planet. Before moving to Bangkok, where she currently lives, she spent years living in Florence, where she and I met, and later this year she has a gorgeous book coming out called Lost in Florence, which celebrates the city’s unique and independent places.   Nardia loves uncovering the true essence of what a city has to offer, and today we will be sharing Bangkok’s best with you. We talk about everything from Buddhism and meditation to the best street food and rooftop bars. I also share the story of when my sister and I were trucked off to a Thai jail, and why we’d go back to the country despite that very surreal and scary experience.    I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Ready to travel? Sign up for my newsletter and get your free guide to cheap airfare.    Thank you so much for listening to this show. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.   This podcast is brought to you by Audible. Not a member yet? Postcard Academy listeners can get a FREE audiobook and a 30-day free trial if you sign up via audibletrial.com/postcard   This podcast is also brought to you by World Nomads. Need simple and flexible travel insurance? Get a cost estimate from World Nomads using their handy calculator at postcardacademy.co/insuranceDo you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot? I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.

Last week’s episode was all about setting goals and designing more freedom into your life. I’m happy to say, that I have actually taken action and filled out the business plan template that Natalie shared with us — you can find that at postcardacadey.co/freedomplan Even if you have no plans to start a business this year, it’s still a handy tool for putting any kind of goals on paper and and mapping out your steps to get there.    In the spirit of tidying up and getting organized, I’m thinking through where I want to travel in 2019. As a history lover, I’ve spent my fair share of time in cities like Paris, Rome, Berlin, and London. But I’m in the phase of my life where I like visiting the not-so-popular but still incredible destinations. If you’ve ever flipped through the magazine, Eat This, Not That!,  my travel recommendations for 2019 are a little like that. ‘Visit this charming village, not that over-crowded metropolis!’    Spoiler alert: Here’s where I’m headed: Folkestone, England; Sarajevo, Bosnia; Izmir, Turkey; Tirana, Albania; Warsaw, Poland; Matera, Italy; and Providence and Newport, Rhode, Island. I also want to travel around Japan, but that’s hardly off-the-beaten path these days.    I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Ready to travel? Sign up for my newsletter and get your free guide to cheap airfare.    Thank you so much for listening to this show. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.   This podcast is brought to you by Audible. Not a member yet? Postcard Academy listeners can get a FREE audiobook and a 30-day free trial if you sign up via audibletrial.com/postcard   This podcast is also brought to you by World Nomads. Need simple and flexible travel insurance? Get a cost estimate from World Nomads using their handy calculator at postcardacademy.co/insuranceDo you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot? I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.

New year, new you? Hopefully, yes! But forget New Year’s resolutions that feel like a punishment. How about designing a life in which you have the freedom to do what you love? (get started on postcardacademy.co)   I am definitely focusing on this personally, and in 2019, in addition to world travelers and expats, I’ll be interviewing lifestyle experts, authors, and others who can help us live our best lives. To start us off, I’m incredibly happy to share my conversation with this week’s guest, Natalie Sisson.    Natalie is Chief Freedomist of her own company and author of the bestselling books “The Suitcase Entrepreneur,” and “The Freedom Plan.” On this episode, we’ll talk about her ‘perfect day’ exercise (have you given much thought to what your perfect day would look like? are you trying to live this? most people are not!); discuss jobs that are great for people who want to live a freedomist lifestyle; and break down the steps you need to take to start living a more intentional life, and even create your own business.      I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Ready to travel? Sign up for my newsletter and get your free guide to cheap airfare.    Thank you so much for listening to this show. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.   This podcast is brought to you by Audible. Not a member yet? Postcard Academy listeners can get a FREE audiobook and a 30-day free trial if you sign up via audibletrial.com/postcard   This podcast is also brought to you by World Nomads. Need simple and flexible travel insurance? Get a cost estimate from World Nomads using their handy calculator at postcardacademy.co/insuranceDo you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot? I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.

Best of London episode! I realized recently that even though I’ve been an American expat in London for nearly eight years, I hardly ever talk about my favorite city. My website — postcardacademy.co — is filled with photos and travel guides for other places I've visited around the world. I want to share more about London with you, starting with this episode.    Today I’m the interviewee. My friend Cristal Dyer, who you’ve heard on other Postcard Academy episodes, including the ones on Travel Deals; Oaxaca, Mexico; and Volunteering at an Animal Sanctuary; kindly volunteered to play host. I’ll share my very best insider London tips, from restaurants to theatre to live music. Enjoy! *** I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Ready to travel? Sign up for my newsletter and get your free guide to cheap airfare.    Thank you so much for listening to this show. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.   This podcast is brought to you by Audible. Not a member yet? Postcard Academy listeners can get a FREE audiobook and a 30-day free trial if you sign up via audibletrial.com/postcard   This podcast is also brought to you by World Nomads. Need simple and flexible travel insurance? Get a cost estimate from World Nomads using their handy calculator at postcardacademy.co/insuranceDo you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot? I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.

Thank you so much for listening and subscribing to the Postcard Academy this year. If you’re a fan of this podcast and are feeling generous this year, leaving a review of this show on Apple Podcasts would be a wonderful Christmas present to me. Here’s how to leave a review. Or, you could become a patron of this podcast, which I produce voluntarily as a labor of love for you. Supporting the Postcard Academy via the Patreon site for creators and artists gives you access to members-only content and helps sustain the production of the show, which involves many hours of work and monthly fees.   I really enjoy creating this show for you, and I’m very excited for some things I have planned for 2019. This will include more actionable advice to help you travel more, live abroad — if that is something you’re interested in — and to have more freedom, and free time, in your life wherever you choose to spend it. Less work and stress and overwhelm, and more time to enjoy our very brief time on this Earth. I cannot wait to share this with you!   This week, I’m sharing a Ted Talk that I think is perfect for this time of year. Right now, the media is full of summaries of this year’s news — most of it bad news because that’s what they’ve been covering all year. But guess what? The world is actually getting better. When it comes to homicide, war, poverty, and even pollution, we're actually doing better now than we were 30 years ago, according to Harvard professor and author Steven Pinker. This progress is a fact, not an opinion, and he has the statistics to prove it.    Do we still have life-threatening problems like inequality, war, and climate change? Of course. But these are “problems to be solved, not the apocalypse in waiting.” I hope Steven Pinker’s Ted Talk gives you some peace of mind.   ***   I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Ready to travel? Sign up for my newsletter and get your free guide to cheap airfare.    Thank you so much for listening to this show. I know you’re busy and have many listening options, so it means a lot to me that you’re here. You are the best.Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot? I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.