Nomad Summit Podcast: Fuel for Your Nomadic Journey

Team Nomad Summit
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Climbing to freedom – one episode at a time. The Nomad Summit Podcast is for remote workers, freelancers, indie hackers, and founders building lives on their own terms. We unpack what it really means to work without borders, chase freedom, and build something meaningful – whether that's a business, a lifestyle, or a sense of purpose. Hosted by the team behind Nomad Summit and long-time digital nomad and podcaster Palle Bo, each episode features raw conversations, honest lessons, and practical ideas from people who've chosen the unconventional path. From landing your first remote job to launching your own company, we explore the milestones and mindset shifts along the way – with a healthy dose of real talk on visas, money, relationships, burnout, and belonging. If you've ever felt like you're building your life summit by summit – this podcast is your trail guide, compass, and campfire rolled into one. New episodes every week. Subscribe and start your climb.

  1. 43 | Meet the Students Who Won the Nomad Summit Buildathon

    1D AGO

    43 | Meet the Students Who Won the Nomad Summit Buildathon

    What happens when a group of students meets at a hackathon-style competition with only a short time to build something meaningful? At the Nomad Summit Buildathon in Chiang Mai, teams were challenged to create innovative ideas and present them in front of judges. In this episode, we meet the students behind SkillScoop, the project that ended up winning the competition. They share how their team came together, what problem they wanted to solve, and what it felt like standing on stage pitching their idea without knowing how the judges would react. SkillScoop is designed to help students connect with each other's skills and collaborate before graduation – creating opportunities to learn from peers and work together on real projects. You'll also hear about the pressure of pitching during the Buildathon, how strangers quickly became teammates, and why competitions like this can spark ideas that might grow into real startups. The Buildathon was supported by ShakeSphere, an innovative tech consulting and development agency that builds tech, startups or new digital businesses for major corporates and startups in Thailand, Indonesia and Hong Kong. Whether you are a digital nomad, a student, or someone curious about how new ideas are born under pressure, this episode gives you a front row seat to the creativity and energy of the Nomad Summit community. Key Takeaways How the SkillScoop team formed during the Nomad Summit Buildathon The idea behind SkillScoop and how it helps students collaborate using their skills What it feels like to pitch a brand-new idea in front of judges How hackathons and buildathons can spark startup ideas Why events like Nomad Summit bring together people who might otherwise never meet Relevant Links ShakeSphere: https://www.shakesphere.tech CMU blog post about the winners: https://www.cmu.ac.th/en/article/b1a697e6-f896-47f9-bf4a-f476b665ad2f Nomad Summit: https://nomadsummit.com Episode produced by RadioGuru: https://radioguru.co.uk

    33 min
  2. 42 | Yash Sharma: Breathing a Different Air

    MAR 4

    42 | Yash Sharma: Breathing a Different Air

    Palle Bo and Christoph Huebner meet Yash Sharma, an aspiring digital nomad from India and one of three 2026 Nomad Summit scholars. Yash shares his raw journey from rock bottom as a second-generation lawyer – burnt out, leaving the office at 2 AM – to quitting on March 10th last year and waking up "breathing a different air." He reveals how facing fears at Vietnam Nomad Fest and a scholarship win sparked his pivot to AI automation.​ Listen if you're stuck chasing happiness in the wrong career or scared to leap into nomad life. Yash's bold "instincts over logic" mindset, family pushback, and first free client story offer real inspiration for productizing yourself and turning rock bottom into momentum. Plus, his Nomad Summit takeaways show why India is next for digital nomads. Key Takeaways Quit strategically: Yash's last law firm day (March 10, 2025) led to Vietnam Nomad Fest freedom – "breathing a different air" where "the whole world is yours to explore."​ Face fears head-on: Jumping off 10m rocks at Vietnam hikes taught Yash "all the things in the world just means nothing in front of actual fear."​ Instincts over logic: At 18, ignore "rest of your life" pressure; "when we are young, we just have to do what we feel like doing."​ Rock bottom rebuild: Three months solo learning AI/automation via YouTube/Reddit built skills without gurus; offer free services first for testimonials.​ Productize yourself: Naval Ravikant-inspired – "figure out what you can do that other people might want, and then scale that thing up."​ Wild belief wins: "All the hard work... is pointless unless you believe in your dreams"; close deals by sharing your vision authentically.​ Scholarship power: Nomad Summit jury loves early-career applicants lacking confidence but with big ideas – video apps beat safe bets.​ Family legacy pivot: Second-gen lawyer ditched easy client ladder for happiness; parents now support as business grows vs. 2 AM lawyer grind.​ Relevant Links Nomad Summit: https://www.nomadsummit.com Episode produced by RadioGuru: https://radioguru.co.uk

    31 min
  3. 41 | Keep Your Number Everywhere with Joey Kudish

    FEB 25

    41 | Keep Your Number Everywhere with Joey Kudish

    Palle Bo and Christoph Huebner sit down with software engineer and indie hacker Joey Kudish, the founder of Tether Mobile, to solve a pain every digital nomad knows: how to keep your phone number and receive critical SMS codes without paying crazy roaming fees or juggling SIM cards. From emotional attachment to old numbers to banking one-time passwords that never arrive abroad, they unpack why this problem exists and how Joey is fixing it for nomads first.​ You'll hear how Joey went from running a board-game café in Canada to building tools for location-independent life, why SMS infrastructure is such a bureaucratic "snake pit," and what it takes to act as a real carrier of record in multiple countries. If you've ever worried about losing access to your bank, tax authority, or health accounts while traveling, this episode will show you practical options right now and a glimpse of a future where SMS-based authentication might finally die.​ Key Take Aways Phone numbers are emotional assets and business anchors, which makes switching countries and carriers harder than it needs to be for long-term nomads.​ Many nomads juggle a home-country number on a minimal plan plus local SIMs and eSIMs just to keep receiving SMS verifications.​ Tether Mobile lets you port or buy a number, then forwards incoming SMS to email or chat apps like Telegram, Line, Discord, or Slack so you can drop expensive roaming.​ Traditional carriers often charge daily roaming fees just to access SMS, and many prepaid or VoIP setups fail to receive verification messages reliably abroad.​ Technically and legally, SMS is tightly controlled by carriers and regulators, which is why so few consumer-focused solutions exist and why Joey is rolling out countries carefully.​ At launch, Tether focuses on inbound SMS only, with clear limits and pricing, to avoid spam and compliance issues while solving the core problem really well.​ Supported countries already include the US, Canada, Thailand, several EU states, the UK, and more, with South American numbers on the roadmap.​ Joey expects SMS-based authentication to fade over the next 5–10 years and is fine if that eventually kills his own product, because the goal is better security for everyone.​ Relevant Links Tether Mobile: https://tethermobile.com/ Join the Waitlist: https://tethermobile.com/signup  Joey on X: https://x.com/jkudish Joey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jkudish Joey's Website: https://jkudish.com Game Tree Café: https://maps.app.goo.gl/A9UFf7JbdeGq5pYR6 Sunday's Game Night in RealSpace: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3DgsPGADxeQtXYHn7 Sunday's Game Night at Gemoi Lifestyle Café: https://maps.app.goo.gl/P5o7LtRUx1wDBvEC7 https://www.satellite.me/ German solution, SipGate: https://www.sipgate.com/ Episode with Isac from RealSpace: https://www.nomadsummit.com/episode-31-you-get-a-co-working-space-whats-next/ Nomad Summit: https://www.nomadsummit.com Episode produced by RadioGuru: https://radioguru.co.uk

    27 min
  4. 40 | Buttons on Signals, Investing & Couple Travel

    FEB 18

    40 | Buttons on Signals, Investing & Couple Travel

    Palle Bo and Christoph Huebner sit down with Jonathon and Quinn Button, a nomadic power couple from California, in Chiang Mai's Bella Goose Cafe at the Hill. Fresh from speaking at Nomad Summit, the Buttons share their 12+ years of nomading – from Nicaragua startups to spotting global trends and borderless investing. Amid coffee chats and couple travel tests, they reveal how neuroplasticity fuels opportunity spotting and why Asia's collab vibe excites them.​ Listen if you're a nomad craving business insights over yoga vibes, or a couple testing relationship resilience. The Buttons deliver practical tools for signals-to-investments, Life Out of the Box reinvention, and why 40% of US women eye relocation (Thailand top 5!). Perfect for rethinking autonomy, slowmad shifts, and pushing buttons together.​ Key Takeaways Test relationships with challenging travel before commitment – not luxury resorts – to see true compatibility.​ Nomad Summit surprised as business-focused (entrepreneurs/investors), not "hippie dippy" – great for finding "your people".​ Spot trends via "signals" (early behaviors); nomads excel due to neuroplasticity in new environments.​ Customize investing for borderless life: 24/7 access, own your portfolio, act on personal signals (no advice).​ Life Out of the Box evolved from Nicaragua social venture (artisans/school supplies) to nomad dream-push platform.​ 40% US women want to relocate abroad (Thailand top); expect West-to-East migration, solo female travelers rising.​ New places slow time (like childhood summers); question local solutions (e.g., Japan garbage) for opportunities.​ Couples thrive 24/7 nomading via divide/conquer + collab; travel together proves strength, Asia's innovation pulls.​ Relevant Links Life Out of the Box Website: https://lifeoutofthebox.co Life Out of the Box on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeOutoftheBox Life Out of the Box on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeoutofthebox/ Life Out of the Box on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifeOutOfTheBox/ Bella Goose Cafe at the Hill (Chiang Mai): https://www.nomadsummit.com/venue/bella-goose-cafe-at-the-hill/ Episode with Mia Kircher (Serbia-Afghanistan cat traveler):  https://www.nomadsummit.com/episode-14-courage-connection-and-cleo-the-cat-mia-kerchers-story-of-nomadic-life/ Episode with Sonia Vainshtein (dog travel business): https://www.nomadsummit.com/episode-19-around-the-world-with-a-dog/ Episode with Allison and Graham (NZ vet and pet sitter): https://www.nomadsummit.com/episode-35-nomadic-vet-around-the-world/ The Radio Vagabond episode about Luwak Coffee Bali: https://www.theradiovagabond.com/212-bali/ Rich Dad Poor Dad book: https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Dad-Poor-Teach-Middle/dp/1612681131 Yes Theory about Forest City: https://youtu.be/Y6ZGkjdFAZs?si=ztjRQSWTMDQpkoQd 40% US women relocation report from Gallup: https://news.gallup.com/poll/697382/record-numbers-younger-women-leave.aspx Nomad Summit: https://www.nomadsummit.com Episode produced by RadioGuru: https://radioguru.co.uk

    37 min
  5. 39 | Kevin Hofmann: From Broken Jaw to Building a Cleaner Planet

    FEB 11

    39 | Kevin Hofmann: From Broken Jaw to Building a Cleaner Planet

    Kevin Hofmann went from getting his jaw broken at a rave in Vienna to building impact‑driven tech projects as a digital nomad. In this episode, he shares how that low point pushed him into meditation, co‑living, and ultimately to Chiang Mai as a Nomad Summit scholarship winner. We talk about his Buildathon project "Chiang Ride", a platform to make scooter rentals in Thailand transparent and trustworthy, and his main mission‑driven project Waste Watch, a global cleanup platform helping organizers and volunteers coordinate events and show their impact. Along the way, Kevin reflects on manifesting opportunities, speaking on stage for the first time, collaborating with Thai students, and designing a life where he can focus fully on positive impact. Top 8 key take‑aways: A painful setback can become a powerful turning point if you let it question your whole life setup. Kevin's jaw injury in Vienna led him to quit his corporate job and spend months in a Buddhist meditation center. Running a co‑living / co‑working space in Lagos (Noma Village) showed him the power of community and planted the seed for a nomad lifestyle. The Nomad Summit scholarship gave him a ticket, accommodation, and stage time, which massively accelerated his journey. "Chiang Ride" was born from the chaos of renting scooters in Thailand and aims to connect trustworthy local shops with travelers through a clear, fair platform. The Nomad Summit Buildathon pairs international nomads and Thai students to co‑create startups; Kevin's team of seven (including three Thais) won second place. Waste Watch (WasteWatch.app) is Kevin's main mission project, helping cleanup organizers publish events, document impact, and attract more volunteers globally. Kevin's long‑term vision is to be location‑ and financially‑independent so he can dedicate himself to projects that help people, animals, and the planet. Links mentioned in this episode: Chiang Ride app (scooter rentals in Chiang Mai): https://chiang-ride.vercel.app Waste Watch – global cleanup platform: https://WasteWatch.app Kevin on Telegram: @kevkevkev23 Kevin on Instagram: @kev_hfmn Nomad Summit: https://nomadsummit.com Episode produced by RadioGuru: https://radioguru.co.uk

    26 min
  6. 38 | Solo Hiking, Secret Tutoring Gigs & Saying Yes to Kazakhstan – Danielle Hurren on Building a Nomadic Life

    FEB 4

    38 | Solo Hiking, Secret Tutoring Gigs & Saying Yes to Kazakhstan – Danielle Hurren on Building a Nomadic Life

    In this episode of the Nomad Summit podcast, host Christoph Huebner sits down with British writer, private tutor and long-distance hiker Danielle Hurren. From accidentally discovering nomadism via a Gumtree ad in London to tutoring high‑net‑worth families across Italy, Kazakhstan and beyond, Danielle shares how she built a deeply personal, travel‑rich career around the British education system. They talk about solo female hiking across the entire length of the UK, overcoming fear while wild‑camping on cliff tops, and why the world is often less scary than we think. Danielle also explains how private tutoring turned into a global, location‑independent business, how Kazakhstan stole her heart long before it hit nomad radar, and how Nomad Summit 2026 inspired her to double down on her writing, blog and Substack. Top key take-aways You do not need a grand master plan to become a nomad; Danielle "stumbled" into it by following curiosity, teaching English at summer camps and saying yes to new opportunities. A single tutoring job found on Gumtree led her from London to Tuscany, then into a powerful word‑of‑mouth network in Rome and across Italy. COVID‑19 turned her fixed life in Rome upside down and ultimately triggered her decision to fully embrace long‑term travel and nomadism. Hiking solo from Cornwall to Scotland with a tent was Danielle's way to reconnect with nature and herself after months of strict lockdown in Rome. Solo hiking and wild‑camping, especially for women, can be both scary and empowering; preparation, basic safety gear and confidence in your own abilities are key. Countries with "scary" reputations, like India, can still be deeply rewarding destinations for solo female travelers when you research, choose regions carefully and plug into local communities or co-livings. There is strong global demand for specialists in the British curriculum (GCSE, A‑Level, IB), and private tutoring can be turned into a travel‑friendly career with agencies plus your own client network. Content platforms like Instagram, a personal blog and Substack help Danielle document hikes and off‑the‑beaten‑path destinations, and Nomad Summit gave her fresh SEO and Pinterest strategies to grow that creative side. Links mentioned Danielle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellemariehurren/ Danielle's Substack: https://substack.com/@elsewhereposts Danielle's blog: https://elsewhereposts.com/ Nomad Summit: https://nomadsummit.com Episode produced by RadioGuru: https://radioguru.co.uk

    27 min
  7. 37 | The new sound of the Nomad Summit

    JAN 28

    37 | The new sound of the Nomad Summit

    Sound artist and nomad village founder Diveakssh "Divi" Schae joins hosts Christoph and Palle to unveil the brand‑new Nomad Summit theme music, crafted entirely from the everyday sounds of Chiang Mai - crosswalk beeps, street greetings, and a shy "Welcome to Chiang Mai" from a local girl. He shares his philosophy of "sound hunting," why he loves both music and "noise," and how years of traveling with a microphone and producing his debut album taught him to turn the world itself into an instrument.​ The conversation then shifts to Jungli, his family's former ferro‑alloy factory in the Indian jungle that he is transforming into a year‑round nomad village and future audio‑visual gallery for new media art installations. You'll hear how he's blending nature, operations know‑how, community building, spirituality (through his dad's numerology and past‑life work), and his mother's chocolate into a unique hub between Goa and Hampi - plus a powerful reframe of nomadism as a mindset rather than a passport stamp count.​ Key Take Aways p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Everyday sound can be musical. Divi shows how city noise, nature, and random street sounds become emotional, story‑driven music when you listen with intention and "hunt" for texture.​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Jungli: factory‑turned‑nomad village. He explains how his great‑grandfather's old ferro‑alloy factory is being reborn as a family‑run nomad village and future audio‑visual gallery in the Indian jungle.​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> A new home for new media art. Jungly aims to give new media artists a permanent space for immersive installations that are usually built for one‑week shows and then stored away.​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Nomadism as a mindset. Divi reframes being a nomad from "always moving" to staying light, not over‑attaching to stuff (like the infamous couch), and being able to thrive anywhere.​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Building in public with community. The first Jungly guests came from his Instagram and newsletter, co‑creating the village via a WhatsApp group that grew from 70 to around 450 members.​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Family strengths as part of the brand. From his father's numerology and spiritual work to his mother's chocolate factory, Divi weaves his family's talents into the Jungly guest experience.​ Relevant Links p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Watch the new Nomad Summit music video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DT57eqTD6-Z/ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Read more about Jungli – the Nomad Village: https://www.junglithenomad.com p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Episode 27 with Pavi – the digital VO‑mad: https://www.nomadsummit.com/episode-27-pavi-lustig-the-voice-that-goes-around-the-world/ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Nomad Summit: https://www.nomadsummit.com p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Sailing Uma (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@SailingUma p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Episode produced by RadioGuru: https://radioguru.co.uk

    31 min
  8. 36 | Chiang Mai: First Recap

    JAN 21

    36 | Chiang Mai: First Recap

    This episode is recorded a few days after Nomad Summit 2026 in Chiang Mai and captures the atmosphere, stories, and reactions. The episode opens with a live side event hosted by Palle Bo and Christoph Huebner, recorded in front of an audience. Here, the focus is on two in-depth guest conversations that set the tone for the episode. Toti: Building a Life Around Travel and Storytelling The first main conversation is with Toti from Passport & Stamps, who shares his personal journey into a nomadic lifestyle and how travel became central to both his work and identity. Toti talks about how he started out, what motivated him to keep moving, and how documenting his experiences turned into a meaningful way of connecting with others. He reflects on the balance between freedom and responsibility, and on what it really takes to sustain a life built around constant change. His story resonates strongly with the audience, especially when he talks about uncertainty, decision-making, and the difference between the romantic idea of nomad life and the reality behind it. René: Long-Term Nomad Life and Perspective The second main guest is René, who brings a different perspective shaped by years of living and working on the road. René shares insights into long-term nomadism – what changes over time, what becomes easier, and what new challenges appear. He talks about community, routines, and how priorities shift the longer you stay location-independent. His reflections add depth to the episode by showing how nomad life evolves beyond the early excitement and into something more grounded and intentional. Pool Party Interviews: First Impressions from Attendees Between the live conversations, the episode moves to the Pool Party on Sunday. Here, Palle recorded short, informal interviews with several attendees. These quick conversations capture first impressions of the event, why people decided to attend Nomad Summit, and what they are hoping to get out of the week. Some talk about connection and community, others about learning, inspiration, or simply meeting people who understand their lifestyle. The Pool Party recordings give the episode a relaxed, social feel and show the diversity of backgrounds and motivations within the Nomad Summit crowd. Voices from the Audience and Later Side Event Toward the end of the episode, more attendee voices are brought in – recorded after the live side event and during another side event later on. People from the audience share how the Nomad Summit resonated with them, what stood out, and how they are experienced the event. A Snapshot of Nomad Summit in Motion Rather than a single narrative, this episode works as a snapshot of Nomad Summit as it is unfolding. It combines longer personal stories with short, spontaneous reactions, reflecting the mix of structure and serendipity that defines the early days of the event. It is an episode about arrival – into a city, into a community, and into conversations that will continue throughout the week. Key Takeaways Toti and René offer two distinct but complementary perspectives on nomad life Long-term nomadism brings different challenges than early-stage travel Attendees come to Nomad Summit with a wide range of goals and expectations Informal moments often reveal the most honest reflections   Relevant Links Time Out Article: https://www.timeout.com/bangkok/news/the-nomads-have-spoken-thailand-still-the-best-place-in-world-for-laptop-warriors-012026  Nomad Summit: https://nomadsummit.com Episode produced by RadioGuru: https://radioguru.co.uk

    44 min
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Climbing to freedom – one episode at a time. The Nomad Summit Podcast is for remote workers, freelancers, indie hackers, and founders building lives on their own terms. We unpack what it really means to work without borders, chase freedom, and build something meaningful – whether that's a business, a lifestyle, or a sense of purpose. Hosted by the team behind Nomad Summit and long-time digital nomad and podcaster Palle Bo, each episode features raw conversations, honest lessons, and practical ideas from people who've chosen the unconventional path. From landing your first remote job to launching your own company, we explore the milestones and mindset shifts along the way – with a healthy dose of real talk on visas, money, relationships, burnout, and belonging. If you've ever felt like you're building your life summit by summit – this podcast is your trail guide, compass, and campfire rolled into one. New episodes every week. Subscribe and start your climb.

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