The Radio Vagabond

What does it take to visit every country in the world? In this episode, I'm joined once again by Ric Gazarian – aka Global Gaz – host of the  Counting Countries  podcast and founder of the  Extraordinary Travel Festival  in Bangkok. We talk about the tiny global community of extreme travellers – people chasing all 193 UN countries… and beyond. How many people have actually done it? What kind of pe...

What does it  really  take to build a life around travel? In this episode of The Radio Vagabond, I sit down in Bangkok with two travel content creators who've each taken very different paths –  Matt Bowles  and  Phil Marcus . Matt is the host of  The Maverick Show  – a long-form podcast diving deep into identity, culture, and life as a digital nomad. Phil is the creator behind " Phil's Guide to th...

In this final episode from Elk Horn, Iowa – the most Danish town in America – I visit the local cemetery, where history is literally carved in stone. Warren Whatson, the caretaker and local historian, shares stories about the early Danish settlers and how names and traditions changed over time. Then I meet Stan Jens, the big-bearded mayor of Elk Horn, who invites me for a beer in his Harley garage...

Welcome back to Elk Horn, Iowa – a small Midwestern town that became the heart of Danish America. In this episode, we hear a remarkable coincidence about the first Danes to arrive here, visit the historic Danish Windmill with manager Lisa Steen Riggs, and explore The Museum of Danish America. I also get a personal tour of "Bedstemor's Hus," built in 1908 by the colorful local legend known as Princ...

Welcome to Elk Horn, Iowa – a tiny farming town of about 650 people that calls itself Dane Country. I'm spending time with locals to find out how Danish it still is today. I stay in a Danish-style BnB, eat æbleskiver with medister sausage for breakfast, visit a real 1848 windmill brought here piece by piece from Denmark, and sit down with the people keeping the heritage alive. I also dive into the...

In this final episode from Saudi Arabia, I travel from the peaceful Red Sea town of Yanbu to vibrant Jeddah – and end the journey at the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival near Riyadh.  Along the way, I meet generous locals at a night market, stay with a kind CouchSurfing host, and visit the world's tallest unfinished skyscraper, the Jeddah Tower, now standing eerily still in the desert. The trip ends...

In this episode, my travel partner Cynthia and I explore Al Ula in northwestern Saudi Arabia – where ancient culture meets cutting-edge architecture. We stroll through Old Town's 1,300 mudbrick houses, chat with a modern young Saudi woman named Dalal, and marvel at  Maraya , the world's largest mirrored building shimmering in the desert. We also test our luck (and our rental car) in the sand again...

In this episode, we leave Riyadh behind and head for "The Edge of the World" – a jaw-dropping cliff where the desert drops into infinity. With only vague directions from a CouchSurfing friend ("Go to the mosque… don't die"), my travel buddy Cynthia and I set out on a 4,000 km road trip across Saudi Arabia. We encounter rare desert rain, camel caravans, endless dunes, and the unexpected kindness of...

Join me on an unforgettable journey across Saudi Arabia – from the futuristic capital Riyadh to the dramatic Red Sand Dunes where my travel partner Cynthia and I got repeatedly stuck. Along the way, we discover a country transforming itself through Vision 2030, meet warm and curious locals, and experience the blend of old traditions and bold modernization that defines the new KSA. We explore every...

In this flashback episode, I'm in Rio de Janeiro – a city bursting with life, rhythm, and contradictions. From the stunning beaches of Copacabana to the chaotic streets where danger can lurk in the shadows, Rio is a place that never lets you relax completely. Join me as I dive into the culture, meet the locals, and experience both the breathtaking beauty and the raw edges of this remarkable city....

In this Flashback Friday episode of  The Radio Vagabond , I return to New York City – a place I've visited many times before. But this time, something felt different. From the moment I stepped back into the chaos, culture, and charisma of "The Big Apple," I was reminded of just how alive this city is. They say it's the greatest city in the world – and in this episode, I set out to rediscover exact...

In this colorful Flashback Friday episode of  The Radio Vagabond , I take you to the tropical paradise of the Philippines. Join me as I island-hop through crystal-clear waters, meet fascinating locals, and dive below the surface – literally. While scuba diving, I find myself face-to-face with some familiar characters… yes, even Nemo and Dory make an appearance in this underwater adventure. But the...

In this emotional Flashback Friday episode of  The Radio Vagabond , I travel to Bessemer, Alabama to experience Gip's Place  –  a legendary juke joint founded in the backyard of Henry "Gip" Gipson. At the time, Gip was an astonishing 97 years old, still hosting Saturday night blues sessions in his tin-roofed music shed alongside family, locals, and wandering musicians. His motto, "No black, no whi...

In this high-stress Flashback Friday episode of  The Radio Vagabond , I find myself in the heart of Dakar, Senegal, with a bus leaving at 7 am – and a taxi driver who has  no idea  where the bus terminal is. What follows is a chaotic ride through a waking city, a ticking clock, and rising panic. But this episode isn't just about the stress. Along the way, I also meet a talented local artist and an...

In this offbeat episode of  The Radio Vagabond , I find myself in beautiful Bali, sipping on what might be the strangest – and most expensive – cup of coffee I've ever had. It's called Luwak coffee, made from beans that have been eaten, digested, and yes,  pooped out  by a civet cat. Then it's cleaned, roasted, and brewed into a surprisingly smooth cup of coffee. Whether it's a gimmick or a gourme...

In this provocative Flashback Friday episode of  The Radio Vagabond , I travel to Belarus – often called "Europe's last dictatorship" – to uncover the lived reality of life under Alexander Lukashenko. As I meet locals and explore Minsk, I ask a bold question: are there bright sides to this autocratic system? Some people credit the regime with preserving economic stability post-USSR, keeping unempl...

In this Flashback Friday episode of  The Radio Vagabond , we head to Pattaya, Thailand – a place with two drastically different faces. First, I take you down one of the wildest party streets on the planet: Walking Street. It's loud, it's chaotic, and it's absolutely unforgettable. From neon lights and booming music to all kinds of nightlife, it's a full-on sensory overload. But just beyond the par...

In this Flashback Friday episode of  The Radio Vagabond , I arrive in Memphis, Tennessee – home of the blues, birthplace of rock 'n' roll, and the city Elvis called home. But things take a slightly awkward turn when I casually mentioned my Danish hometown, Randers, in Graceland… and that got me in trouble. Between the laughs and the local tension, I explore the city's iconic landmarks, including B...

In this powerful episode of  The Radio Vagabond , we explore one of Cape Town's most poignant landmarks: District Six. I begin by chatting with Uber drivers – immigrants from Rwanda, Congo and Malawi – who share what life is really like in the city today. Their stories highlight Cape Town's beauty and its socio-economic challenges, setting a compelling backdrop for what follows. Then we step into...

In this sun-soaked episode of The Radio Vagabond , I take you aboard my unforgettable journey through the Mediterranean on Nomad Cruise. This time, we dock in  Menorca ,  Malta , and  Greece , each offering its own flavor of adventure. In Malta, we wander the charming, historic streets. In Greece, we sip local wine at a boutique winery while soaking in the laid-back vibes of the countryside. And s...

In this Flashback Friday episode of  The Radio Vagabond , I travel from the urban buzz of Toronto to the laid-back charm of Québec City – and suddenly feel like I've landed in Europe. Cobblestone streets, centuries-old architecture, and a French-speaking population give this Canadian gem an old-world feel unlike anywhere else in North America. I soak in the local culture, cuisine, and character wh...

In this heartfelt Flashback Friday episode of  The Radio Vagabond , I travel through the beautiful landscapes of northern Nicaragua. But this journey was about much more than scenery. Alongside my new friend John Pappas, I visit a local orphanage – and what I found there left a deep impression on me. The children, the caretakers, and the stories shared in that humble place made this visit one of t...

In this immersive episode of  The Radio Vagabond , we journey to Hungary's dynamic capital – Budapest. I explore both sides of the Danube: Buda, with its regal history and panoramic views, and Pest, buzzing with cafés, culture, and a nightlife scene that doesn't sleep. I sample exquisite dishes at Michelin-rated restaurants, take a deep dive into local traditions, and end up in the iconic Szimpla...

In this episode of The Radio Vagabond, I sit down with Jeri Lynn Johnson Russell – a former Pan Am stewardess whose life took a dramatic turn from the skies to the villages of Africa. Over dinner in Cape Town, Jeri shares how her early travels sparked a lifelong love for adventure, how homeopathy became her calling, and how she built deep connections in the rural communities of Botswana, Eswatini,...

In this explosive episode of The Radio Vagabond, I share the jaw-dropping story of how my Instagram account was hacked and how Meta's broken support system turned a bad situation into a digital nightmare.  From being locked out of my own account to being sent in endless loops of canned replies and case closures, this is the frustrating tale of trying to get real help from a platform that promises...