The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup

El Salvador used to be one of the most dangerous countries in the world. It was ruled by ruthless gangs, riddled with unchecked violence, and had a government that had completely lost control. But in recent years, the country has undergone a rapid transformation. Now, tourists are returning, families walk the streets safely at night, and the country is now making headlines for very different reaso...

I’ve never claimed to be an expert on Canada’s political history. I left the country as a teenager and focused my energy on building a life outside the system. But this week, we’ll dive into a darker, hidden history of Canada that will knock your socks off. In today’s episode, I am joined by Matthew Ehret—journalist, writer and co-founder of the Rising Tide Foundation—to talk about the history of...

Bitcoin tax payments in Panama, Portugal's passport delays and the EU's insane tax proposal—those are just a few of the major headlines my co-host, Marc Clair, and I break down in this edition of Expat News. This week’s episode is packed with insights into the offshore world that you won’t hear in the mainstream media. Whether you’re deep into your offshore strategy or just getting started with yo...

Brazil gets a bad rap. Most people picture crime, chaos, and corruption, but that outdated narrative is costing investors big. The truth? Brazil’s northeast is experiencing a quiet boom, driven by domestic tourism, an emerging middle class, and substantial infrastructure investment. It’s a region most foreigners ignore—and that’s exactly why I’ve been investing serious capital there.  In this spec...

CBDCs aren’t just “on the way”; they’re already being tested and quietly rolled out around the world. They promise convenience and safety, but what they really offer is unprecedented surveillance, control over your money, and the end of financial privacy as we know it. In this explosive episode, I am joined by independent journalist and freedom advocate Efrat Fenigson to uncover what central banks...

If you’ve been looking for stability, opportunity, and sovereignty in one place, you need to start paying serious attention to Paraguay. With food independence, energy abundance, and a banking system that quietly outperforms many better-known jurisdictions, Paraguay is becoming a go-to destination for strategic offshore positioning. In this episode, I read one of our most in-depth Paraguay Potenti...

A few weeks back, I unveiled a commercial project that’s already generating significant momentum in one of Panama’s most dynamic growth regions. Within hours, the messages started flooding in, everyone asking the same thing: “What about residential units… can I live here too?” Therefore, by popular demand, we present the residential aspect of the project. This is your chance to live and/or invest...

If you’ve been watching the global economy and wondering where smart investors are going next, you need to be paying attention to Brazil’s northeast coast. Between the booming tourism, the rising middle class, and its strategic role in the BRICS alliance, Brazil is becoming a powerhouse destination for offshore real estate. In this episode, I share one of my most popular Brazil Beachfront newslett...

Investing in real estate requires discernment, responsibility, and a strategic outlook, and that’s exactly how I approach every opportunity before bringing it to the Expat Money community. In Part 1, we pulled back the curtain and introduced a very special project. After a long search for a location that ticks all the boxes, I finally found the ideal place. In this episode, Kiley and I dive into a...

If you’ve been following my work, you know I take real estate investments very seriously—and I do tremendous due diligence before ever presenting an opportunity to the Expat Money community. After years of searching for the right location for a very special project I had in mind—something that has the right infrastructure, aligns with my pro-freedom values, and fits into a larger international str...

If you’ve been watching the shifting tides in geopolitics and looking for a solid offshore Plan-B, you need to be paying attention to Paraguay. Under the leadership of President Santiago Peña, the country is quietly becoming one of the most attractive destinations in Latin America for expats and investors.  In this episode, I share what I learned during a private meeting with President Peña himsel...

If your retirement money is tied up in an IRA or a 401(k) and exposed to the ups and downs of the U.S. stock market, your retirement savings may be more vulnerable than you think. With growing debt, inflation, and political uncertainty, relying solely on Wall Street is becoming an increasingly risky strategy. That’s why I brought in Matt Calhoun from Equity Trust for a timely discussion on how to...

Latin America is the future, and I invite you to explore this subject in depth with me at the next edition of our annual Expat Money Summit, taking place over three jam-packed days from October 10 to 12, 2025. This year, we’re focusing entirely on Latin America, a region that offers the best opportunities for freedom, investment, and long-term living.  Whether you're just starting your Plan-B or a...

While most world leaders double down on failed socialist policies, Javier Milei is doing the opposite: ripping the state down to its foundation in an unprecedented bid to restore individual freedom and economic sanity. In this episode, I unpack what Milei's bold reforms mean for Argentina, the Western world, and the global expat community. . IN TODAY’S EPISODE: Tune in to discover how Milei’s “cha...

Many people spend their entire lives building wealth and security, but end up leaving everything they’ve built tied to a single country, exposing themselves to unnecessary risk. This is exactly why my Private Clients and I utilize a time-tested strategy called "flag planting." In this episode, I outline how you can do the same legally, efficiently, and confidently, no matter where you’re starting...

In this Expat Money Show episode, I don’t hold back. I’m going to tell you the truth about what’s really happening in Canada, and why I believe it’s no longer a place where you can build wealth or secure a future for your family. As someone born and raised in Canada, I’ve watched the country unravel. After visiting over 100 countries and planting roots in Panama, I can confidently say that it’s ti...

Most people spend their lives trying to build freedom for themselves, but equally important is how they can pass that freedom on to their children. Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on a powerful strategy I’ve used personally: birth tourism. All 3 of my kids were born in different countries—not just for the experience, but to secure real, lifelong advantages for them. Now, I’m taking everything...

A passport is crucial to your freedom and global mobility, but what if your citizenship could be a liability? I recently read an interesting article on IMI Daily called “13 Ways Your Passport Could Ruin Your Life.” While I agree with many of the author’s points, I believe most of the real-world risks are misunderstood—and far more manageable—than people realize.  In today’s episode, I expand on ea...

Trump’s global tariff plan, a surprise shakeup in Canadian leadership, and a crackdown on citizenship programs are just a few of the major stories my co-host and resident newsman Marc Clair and I tackle in this latest edition of Expat News.  After a whirlwind start to the year, we’re back in the newsroom format to bring you the hard truths behind the headlines—and why they matter for freedom-minde...

For the freedom-minded, there’s plenty of doom and gloom where we look for it—wars, technocratic control systems, and economic collapse. But while most people stay stuck in fear or outrage, others are taking action. They’re securing second residencies, moving capital out of reach, and planting flags in places where freedom still has a fighting chance. In today’s episode, I joined Hrvoje Moric on h...

There’s a freedom revolution quietly unfolding—and it’s not coming through politics. More and more people are taking matters into their own hands—setting up offshore structures, getting second residencies, diversifying their assets, and ensuring they’re not boxed in by failing systems. It’s not about fear—it’s about options and the ability to act on your own terms when things get messy. In today’s...

Spotting opportunity in an emerging market before the crowd rushes in takes a special kind of vision—and a willingness to take risks. That’s exactly what today’s guest, Markus Amann, did when he left Austria and planted his flag in Paraguay nearly two decades ago. In this episode, Markus shares his incredible journey—from his first eye-opening trip to the Chaco region to becoming one of the earlie...

Paraguay has been on my radar for years, and after this latest trip, I’m more convinced than ever—it’s one of the best-kept secrets for expats and investors alike. With a territorial tax system, a pro-business government, and dirt-cheap real estate poised for massive growth, Paraguay checks all the boxes for a solid Plan-B country. In this episode, I sit down with my friend and colleague Marc Clai...

Many people dream about financial freedom and international living, but few take the leap. Today's guest, Thorsten Wittmann, is an international financial author, speaker, and self-made multimillionaire who has mastered global investing, wealth protection, and financial sovereignty. In this episode, Thorsten shares his journey from a traditional finance background in Germany to becoming a leading...

Trump sending Marco Rubio down to Panama, a shocking election annulment in Romania, and a surprising new fast-track citizenship program are only a few of the big news stories that have been piling up since the latest edition of Expat News more than two months ago.  This week, we are changing up the Expat News format a bit as I invite my dear friend and colleague Marc Clair to join me as my residen...