Citizens of the World: A Stoic Podcast for Curious Travelers

Bulgaria — is it on your travel list? It’s on mine, especially its capital, Sofia, a city rich in Roman ruins and Byzantine architecture.If you’re a history lover who enjoys affordable travel and getting off the beaten path, then Bulgaria might be the place for you.Joining me today is Stephanie Craig, a travel writer and an American expat/nomad based in Sofia.She’s also one half of the Rick Steves Over Brunch podcast and former host of The History Fangirl podcast.In this episode of the Postcard Academy, Stephanie shares how she ended up in Sofia and why it’s better suited toward digital nomads surfing the Schengen Zone than expats (if you don’t know what the Schengen Zone is, you can go back and listen to the deep dive I did).Then Stephanie is going to take us on a whistle stop tour of Bulgarian history, which is filled with one occupation after another. We also talk about some must-see historical sites in Sofia, including:St. George RotundaBoyana ChurchPark VranaCentral Mineral BathsYou might hear a baby squeak or two in this episode as Stephanie is holding her little one throughout our discussion. He’s very cute.Enjoy the show. *************I'm your host, Sarah Mikutel. Thank you for spending some time with me today. Have you ever thought of starting a podcast yourself? Find out how I can help you.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.

I'm hearing people on the left and right grumble that the U.S. is going to hell in a handbasket. In this episode, I give my two cents on what patriotism really is and why we should stop letting the worst of us define who we are.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.

Did you study abroad? I spent a semester in London and it was one of the best times of my life. That experience definitely played a role in me moving to England permanently.But did you know that you can spend your entire university experience in another country?That’s what today’s guest did.I’m talking to my friend Candace Salter, a Florida gal who knew from the beginning that one semester abroad would not be enough. She wanted to graduate from a university in Europe, and in this episode you’ll learn how she did it, and how you can, too — or your kids or nieces/nephews.Candace is a fellow podcaster and a travel blogger and you can learn more about her and her adventures at her blog Candace Abroad.She’s got a very interesting story that’s taken her from the US to the UK to China to Thailand. Let’s dive in.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.

Let’s talk about upgrading your weekends. I learned about this concept from Laura Vanderkam, the time management expert you heard on the episode on how to Stretch Time so You Can be More Productive and Pursue What You Love.Laura says that having a great weekend requires some planning, even for free spirits who are up for anything. Because a little structure can actually allow us to be more free, and avoid that disappointment that can come on Sunday night when we think, “There was so much I wanted to do and I didn't do any of it.”In this mini-episode, Laura shares how we can make more of our weekends in a few simple steps. We recorded this pre-covid, so you might get wistful when you hear us talk about restaurants and festivals. But surely there are fun things that you can be enjoying while we’re still in the pandemic. And if you’re listening to this in the future, then I hope you enjoy your dinner out this weekend and savor your freedom and good company. postcardacademy.cosarahmikutel.comDo 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.

Most of us still can't travel right now thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. So this should be the perfect time to plan for future travel and adventures abroad. For some, this means creating an online business that allows them to work from anywhere. But...a lot of us are having a hard time focussing. There's a lot happening in the world right now. Plus, many of us are natural dreamers and/or are a little too research obsessed (rather than action-oriented).The goal of today's episode is to help you find your focus so you can do work now and spend more time enjoying your life later.I’m speaking with my friend Emily Prokop, podcast editor, host of the Story Behind, and co-host of the Hate to Weight podcast. Emily and I have a lot in common, including being recovering research-obsessed perfectionists. That doesn’t mean we’re natural planners. We definitely fall in the daydreamer category. But we have big goals we want to accomplish, and we want to help you achieve yours, too. Today, Emily and I are sharing our favorite routines and resources to make you a more productive podcaster. We recorded this a few months ago, but the tools and tips we share are timeless. Enjoy.Show notesDo 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.

Are you feeling the need for some community right now? Some levity? Some fun? I have created a Facebook Group for us called Live Abroad and Love It (our first party is in a few days — details below).I have made some incredible friendships through this podcast and I want to meet more of you.This group is for serious travelers. The kind who would pack up and move to a new country for a few months or maybe forever.Whether you are a current or aspiring expat, nomad, and/or location independent entrepreneur, the Live Abroad and Love It Facebook Group is a place for us to connect and inspire each other to live our location independent travel dreams. We can share stories of the new cities in which we’re living. Share online business advice to help other location independent entrepreneurs. Ask logistical questions on how to make a move abroad happen. I’d really love this to be an inclusive place where we can lift each other up and help each other live a more freedom-filled life.I know social media can be annoying and a lot of us are trying to get away from it. But as many of us are still locked down during the pandemic, and a number of you have said your craving some human connection, so I’m going to host some online events — and perhaps even in-person retreats when we can travel again. Join the first online partyThe first online event is this Sunday at 2 p.m. Eastern Time, which is 7 p.m. London Time. We will be doing online vision boards, also known as dream boards. I’ve never done one myself, but they are supposed to be fun and visual ways to set goals for yourself. If you would like to join this virtual party, go to postcardacademy.co/party and I’ll send you the information. 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.

Today I’m speaking with Crystal Davis, the Borderless Coach and founder of High Income Digital Nomad. Crystal’s mission is to help people build thriving and enjoyable businesses that let them travel and work remotely. We get into the nuts and bolts of how to get up and running with a profitable online business right now. We discuss: why conventional wisdom regarding online business keeps people in a long slog, and what you should do instead to earn the income you want; what kind of offer you should create;how to find clients;who you should sell to and who you shouldn’t target;the three daily activities you need to do to make money; and more.This isn’t the usual business advice you hear, and I think you’re going to love Crystal’s fresh, and effective, perspective. I’m such a fan of Crystal’s work that I joined her group program, High Income Digital Nomad, which teaches you how to build a business and sell without feeling totally cringe. If you want to have a business, you need to master selling.  Check out HIDN if you're ready to start building your dream location independent life. 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.

Let’s move to Mexico, shall we? Specifically Playa del Carmen. Great restaurants, bars, beach clubs, and easy access to nature and ancient UNESCO sites. But the best part, is we’ll get to hang out with my friend Cristal, Dyer, also known as the Tofu Traveler, and one of my all-time favorite travel partners.On today’s episode, Cristal shares everything we need to know to have an epic holiday in Playa del Carmen. We might like it so much, we decide to move there, and she gives us great tips for that, too. ***I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Did you know I host another show called Podcasting Step by Step? Check it out if you’ve been wanting to start a podcast. Every week, I break down ‘how to podcast’ with a little loving motivation to give you the skills and confidence you need to finally launch that show of your dreams. Ready to start your podcast right now? Check out Podcast Launch Academy. 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 viaaudibletrial.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/insurance 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.

We’re living through a global pandemic. It's okay to have down days and to be upset about the way things are. None of us want to be locked up in our house or to lose our job.But if we wallow in that negativity for too long, that doesn't mean we're going to get extra days in our life, right? We're not going to get bonus months at the end of our life because we survived lock down. Author Ryan Holiday has a podcast called the Daily Stoic. Lately, he’s been talking about Alive Time versus Dead Time, something writer Robert Greene told him about. According to him, we can spend our time in one of two ways, passively (Dead Time), where we’re just zoning out and letting life happen to us, and actively (Alive Time), where we’re learning, trying new things, and consciously choosing how to spend our time.As the Stoics taught us, we can't control what's going on in the world, but we can control how we react to it. You’ll never get today again -- will you make it matter?*I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Did you know I host another show called Podcasting Step by Step? Check it out if you’ve been wanting to start a podcast. Every week, I break down ‘how to podcast’ with a little loving motivation to give you the skills and confidence you need to finally launch that show of your dreams. Ready to start your podcast right now? Check out Podcast Launch Academy. Ready to travel? 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 viaaudibletrial.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/insurance  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.

Most of us dream about all the great things we could achieve if only there were more hours in the day.    Well, what if I told you time was more abundant than you think, and that we can actually stretch it?    My guest today is going to tell us how.    Laura Vanderkam is the author of several time management and productivity books, including Juliet’s School of Possibilities, I Know How She Does It, and 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think.    Laura also speaks at conferences, including at TED; writes for publications like the New York Times; hosts the podcast Before Breakfast and co-hosts the podcast Best of Both Worlds.   Plus, she has five kids and blogs almost every day. So if Laura can find time to do all that and hang out with friends and get eight hours of sleep, then there is hope for us all.    Historically, I have not been the best at time management, but Laura’s work has had a tremendously positive effect on my productivity and I’m honored that she made time for this interview.    Get ready to have your mind blown as Laura talks us through different strategies we can use to take back our time so we can enjoy more freedom in our life to pursue what we love.    *** I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel. Did you know I host another show called Podcasting Step by Step? Check it out if you’ve been wanting to start a podcast. Every week, I break down ‘how to podcast’ with a little loving motivation to give you the skills and confidence you need to finally launch that show of your dreams. Ready to start your podcast right now? Check out Podcast Launch Academy.   Ready to travel? 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.   P.S. 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.