Badass Digital Nomads

In Part 2 of How to Renounce Your US Citizenship, Kristin and special guest, Erika Lind, talk about the pros and cons of renouncing your citizenship and why Erika decided to break up with the US for good. She gives you a detailed look into the process of renouncing your US citizenship and gives valuable advice for people thinking about doing the same. Although Erika has been living in Vancouver, Canada for the past five years, she explains why she went to Mexico to speed up the renunciation process. She also shares her honest opinions on American society and government, and sheds light on what life is like after renouncing her citizenship. Finally, Kristin and Erika discuss what happens to regarding taxes, collecting social security, and more.  Have you ever considered renouncing your citizenship or are you curious about the process? Tune in to get all the information you’d need to make an informed decision. Who knows, maybe it's the right choice for you!   ► Headed overseas?

Erika Lind is a solo female traveler (and one of Kristin’s YouTube subscribers) who grew up in the United States but decided to renounce her US citizenship during the coronavirus pandemic. Now based in Vancouver, Canada, Erika agreed to come on Badass Digital Nomads to share her story on renouncing.  In part 1 of this interview, Kristin and Erika talk about what led her to renounce her US citizenship, her experience traveling solo abroad as a female, and why she chose to settle in Vancouver, Canada. She shares info on her cost of living and quality of life there, while she and Kristin also discuss how ancestry and your DNA could affect where you choose to travel or living abroad. Erika also gives insight into the process of getting citizenship in Canada, explaining why it may be easier for some people and more difficult for others. Have you ever considered renouncing your US citizenship and moving to Canada or another foreign country by yourself? If so, this podcast is for you.  And make sure to tune in for p

Kevin Martin is a full-time traveler and creator of the popular YouTube channel, 30 And A Wake Up, about how to prepare to live your best #vanlife. After serving in the military for 20 years and becoming burnt out from a hectic career in corporate law, Kevin finally found freedom in being a digital nomad - inspired through watching Kristin's YouTube videos back in 2018! In this episode, Kristin and Kevin talk about the challenges and benefits of leaving a secure, high-paying career to pursue a life of adventure and freedom as a digital nomad.  Kevin shares stories from his life in the military and his transition from corporate life to van life during the covid-19 pandemic. He shares his best tips and advice for living in a van, investing money into passive income streams, and making friends and being social while traveling the world solo.  Do you believe life can be better with a smaller paycheck and a tiny home on wheels? Tune in to hear Kevin’s candid thoughts on digital nomadism and why he decided to sell

Europe is open for summer travel! - Spain, France, Portugal, and more EU countries reopened for tourism last week and Kristin has all the details for you in today's podcast. Get an overview of which countries are opening, when, and what you'll need to do to travel to Europe this summer (including from the USA).  Featured Product: Remote Health Insurance - International health insurance for expats, digital nomads, and remote workers (including US and Canadian citizens). Get 5% off your first year of Remote Health! Activate discount on checkout page.  SafetyWing Emergency Travel Medical Insurance   QUESTIONS ANSWERED:  What is the EU Digital Covid Certificate? (EUDCC) Where can you get one?  Who will need one to travel to Europe?  Which European countries require a vaccine for entry? Can kids travel to Europe this summer?  Which European countries are opening and when?  Can unvaccinated travelers go to Europe?  Which countries are approved for travel to Europe?  What's the difference between green, orange, a

Reminisce with us as we replay this one-of-a-kind interview with Rolf Potts in Paris, France during his Travel Writing Workshop, where he and Kristin talk about some of his biggest lessons and realizations from 25 years of globetrotting.  Rolf Potts is an American author, essayist, screenwriter, and long-term traveler who is known for his best-selling book, Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel. Tim Ferriss has cited Vagabonding as the reason he decided to travel the world for a year in 2004-2005. As a result, Tim went on to write The Four-Hour Work Week. Iconic, right? In this episode, Kristin and Rolf talk about what it’s really like to be a long-term world traveler while sharing their candid thoughts on why people are so resistant to being nomadic, even though it’s in our DNA. Rolf shares words of wisdom on the downfalls of modern society and consumerism, what it was like to be a nomad in the 90s, and why “time wealth” is such an important concept in the 21st century. This con

In celebration of Badass Digital Nomad’s 2nd birthday, let’s go back and listen to our very FIRST episode with Tom Kuegler (aka "Finding Tom"), a top blogger on Medium who has doubled his followers since this episode first aired in 2019. Looks like he really does have the best tips and tricks for growing an audience and making money as a writer! In episode 110, Kristin speaks with Tom about how he went from making $10/hour as a freelancer to cashing in 5-figure paychecks from blogging on Medium.  Tom enjoys writing about millennial personal development, politics, and creativity, but no matter the topic you want to write about, YOU are capable of becoming a full-time blogger. You don't need experience or a degree in English... all it takes is consistency, passion, and creativity! Tune in to hear expert advice on overcoming fear of failure and imposter syndrome, quickly growing your blog’s following, and making money as a writer. Plus, Tom shares his candid thoughts on truly enjoying life and finding a work/lif

Learn what Kristin thinks about Yelp & Zillow’s ranking of the Top 10 Best US Cities for Remote Workers and Digital Nomads. Kristin is also from the top city on the list and tells you why most locals would disagree with it being ranked #1 in the country.  Curious to know which US cities are the best for people who work remotely? Tune in to learn the top ten, from Florida to Idaho, so you can be sure you’re living your best life as a digital nomad in the best place for you!   TOPICS DISCUSSED/WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: Pros and cons of living in the top ten US cities for digital nomads. The #1 best place to live in the United States. Rental rates, weather, activities, community culture, food/drink, and income taxes. The best cities for accessing international travel or planting roots. The top places in the US for remote workers in the tech industry.   RESOURCES Featured Product: Remote Health Insurance by SafetyWing - International health insurance for expats, digital nomads, and remote workers (including US and

Get ready to depart from Thailand and explore the world in Part 2 of Kristin's interview with Erick, the Minority Nomad. Erick reveals his favorite travel destinations on each continent. After visiting 95 countries, he shares the place he'd recommend to you the most for exploring, adventure, learning, and nightlife. Kristin and Erick also discuss how to best cope with loneliness,  burnout, and the dark sides of traveling.  They contemplate the difference between who you are at home versus the person you become while traveling abroad. And, (as usual), much more!   EPISODE 108 TOPICS DISCUSSED: How to find your community abroad (even if you're an introvert) and overcome loneliness while traveling.  Erick's favorite countries in the world and why.  The difference between your identity at home and the other "you" that emerges through international travel.  The gentrification of digital nomad hotspots like Georgia, Lisbon, Bali, and Thailand.  The dark side of the travel and tourism industry and how it could have

Get ready for some worldy wisdom from a veteran globe trotter! Erick Prince is a multi-passionate self-made photographer, photojournalist, blogger, YouTuber, and entrepreneur. He is also known as the Minority Nomad and is currently living and thriving in Bangkok, Thailand.  In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Erick explains why he chose to settle in Bangkok after traveling 95 countries. He also highlights his experience traveling the world as a black man and former US military serviceman and shares golden nuggets of wisdom he’s learned along his digital nomad journey.   Erick and Kristin discuss their candid thoughts on the harmful impacts of societal structures on our ability to connect with other humans, how traditional education holds us back, and how to reclaim your sense of freedom in the world. (Hint: You don't have to be a digital nomad to do it!)   EPISODE 107 TOPICS DISCUSSED/WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: The current status of travel and covid-19 in Thailand. What it’s like to live in Bangkok, Thailand. H

What do American expats living abroad think about paying US taxes, renouncing their citizenship, voting from overseas, and how the US handled the covid-19 pandemic? An international Expat Opinion Survey of 4,000 American citizens living in 125 foreign countries reveals shocking data about how American expats feel about the US and paying taxes. In Episode 106 of Badass Digital Nomads, Kristin breaks down the results of this expat survey, shining light on how expats view the US government’s response to coronavirus, expats’ participation in elections, and giving up their US citizenship to avoid paying taxes. Are you an American expat or thinking of becoming one? Tune in to learn valuable information that could impact your expat experience!   TOPICS DISCUSSED/WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: Why don't expats want to pay taxes abroad? The controversy around paying US taxes abroad. Absentee voting from a foreign country. Why expats don’t vote from overseas & The impact of American expats not voting. Democrats vs. Republican

Amanda Bates is the Founder of The Black Expat, a multimedia platform focused on Black identity and international living. She is also the Host of The Global Chatter podcast.  In Episode 105 of Badass Digital Nomads, Amanda shares how her tumultuous experience as a teenage expat living abroad in Africa inspired her to create The Black Expat. She highlights inspiring stories of black travelers and expats, the intersectionality of expats and immigrants, and the benefits of working remotely vs. getting an expat job. Amanda and Kristin discuss their candid thoughts on the misconceptions of expats and immigrants, racism outside of the US, and how to travel safely and confidently as a black person.  Do you want to live abroad or find a job that can support you from anywhere but don't know where to start? Tune in to hear Kristin and Amanda’s top tips for finding an expat job abroad or creating your own remote job online.   TOPICS DISCUSSED/WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: What it's like to experience culture shock and reverse cul

Why do so many expats move to Costa Rica and then leave? Listen to this unreleased audio from Kristin’s most viral YouTube video with 1M views: 8 Reasons Why Americans LEAVE Costa Rica [Why I Left].    Kristin has been helping people retire, invest, and move to Costa Rica since 2005. Having lived in Costa Rica herself for 8 years, she’s exposing the most common reasons why Americans end up leaving this beautiful country.   In Episode 104 of Badass Digital Nomads, Kristin talks about the dark side of living in Costa Rica that most people don’t know about and what you need to know before moving there.   She also shares the reasons why she left Costa Rica and highlights the biggest adjustments you’ll have to make when moving there.   Tune in to hear Kristin’s advice on saving money in Costa Rica, coping with homesickness, adjusting to cultural differences, and adapting to a new climate and infrastructure.   TOPICS DISCUSSED/WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: The cost of living in Costa Rica. Expectations vs. reality of living

Learn how to start an online business and live life as a digital nomad (even if you dropped out of college, quit your job, and have no business experience). Guest, Mitko Karshovski is a serial entrepreneur, traveler, and the Host of That Remote Life, a fellow podcast focused on helping people become location independent. Mitko has been a digital nomad since 2017 and has plenty of experience and insight to share with you all. In Episode 103 of Badass Digital Nomads, Mitko shares his journey of dropping out of college to become an entrepreneur and eventually travel the world. He highlights how he gained experience and skills in starting and growing a business, why it’s helpful to hire a coach, and what he’s learned from interviewing over 100 people on his podcast.  Mitko and Kristin discuss their candid thoughts on Tim Ferriss’ concept of mini retirements, why companies should stop hedging and embrace remote work, and how the COVID pandemic will change global immigration patterns over the upcoming years. At the

After dreaming (and researching) about becoming a digital nomad for years, Darren Lamison-White quit his job to "make the leap." Now, he’s finally able to work from anywhere! Darren has spent 2020 working remotely in IT and cybersecurity for a private investment bank from places like Croatia and Tulum, Mexico. In this episode, Kristin and Darren sit down over a bottle of wine to discuss how he was able to make that transition, how his life has changed since he traded the office for the beach, and the pros and cons of living in Tulum and Playa del Carmen. Is Tulum worth the hype? What is it really like living there? What are the accommodations and cost-of-living like? How do digital nomads deal with slow WIFI, infrastructure issues, and power outages? Do you need permanent residency to live in Mexico or can you stay forever with just a tourist visa/passport stamp? And most importantly, what’s better – tequila or mezcal? (Kidding!) Tune in today to find out if Tulum lives up to its Instagram fame or if it’s ove

Welcome to Part 2 of Kristin's interview for the 100th episode of Badass Digital Nomads. Kristin was interviewed by listener Jeremiah, who asks questions about where to start as a beginner pursuing a location independent lifestyle.  Learn tactics on transitioning from a traditional to a remote career, the different ways to make an online income while you travel, how to take action when you feel stuck, and advice for if you feel you're "too late" to travel, live abroad, change careers, or start working for yourself.  Are you feeling blocked in your journey to becoming a digital nomad? Not sure where to start? Curious about Kristin's background? Tune in to learn from Kristin's experiences and hear her candid thoughts on the best ways to start working toward a location independent lifestyle and what she would do differently.  TOPICS DISCUSSED/WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: The process of becoming a digital nomad from the beginning. How Kristin made money online during her first few years of traveling. Misconceptions about

100th episode of Badass Digital Nomads! A podcast listener interviews Kristin from Traveling with Kristin on who the heck she is, how she started traveling, how she affords her lifestyle, and how she became a digital nomad. Plus, her advice for how you can achieve your goals of location independence.   About:  In this episode, a fellow Badass Digital Nomads listener (Jeremiah Bradshaw) puts Kristin in the hot seat to answer all of his questions about becoming a digital nomad, her entrepreneurial background, and her personal life! Accompany Jeremiah as he explores his skepticism of how achievable a digitally nomadic lifestyle really is and diagnoses Kristin's true motivation behind becoming a full-time digital nomad.  Jeremiah asks questions that dig deep into Kristin's background, both in entrepreneurship and in her personal life, to uncover many things that you might also be wondering about her.  Enjoy this candid discussion on the reality of living and working abroad, the challenges and misconceptions that

Wondering how to convert your brick-and-mortar business into an online business? In today's episode, we explore how to approach the challenge of transitioning from a traditional business model to one you can operate from anywhere in a location independent lifestyle.    Guest, Matt Bowles, is the Founder of Maverick Investor Group and Host of The Maverick Show, a podcast that highlights real estate investors, entrepreneurs, and world travelers. Matt is no stranger to Badass Digital Nomads and he’s back to talk about how to make any business remote.   Matt first shares his story of how he became a digital nomad after getting fired from his job at a non-profit. He then explains how he taught himself real estate investing and ultimately came up with the idea for a related location-independent business, including how he found his business partners and started from nothing.   He also shares examples of how to apply his strategy to different industries and shares several inspiring stories of other location independe

In this podcast, I talk about what I hate (more like strongly dislike) about living abroad while sharing stories and examples of how moving to a foreign country has challenged me, caused me to miss out on important events back home, and has made me feel like an outsider. I speak on my experience struggling with cultural adaptations, dating, dealing with homesickness, and so much more.   In all honesty, living abroad isn’t always a magical, euphoric part of life. Traveling comes with many challenges and difficulties! There’s always going to be bumps in the roads, so it’s important to prepare for them if you can.    The insights and challenges I share with you in this podcast will help you in preparing to live abroad. Although there will be challenges to overcome, the positive aspects of moving to a foreign country greatly outweigh the negatives.   For the best things about living abroad, be sure to listen to Episode 97 of Badass Digital Nomads (if you haven’t already), where I explain everything I love about

Living abroad takes the many benefits of travel to a whole new level. But there’s much so more to the expat lifestyle than posting a sweet Instagram photo.   Living abroad is one of the best life experiences you can have. In this two-part episode, I list the Top Ten Things I Love About Living Abroad (and think you’ll love, too!).    Living abroad helps you give less f*cks while boosting your sense of self-confidence, strengthening your resilience, and providing a more open-minded perspective of the world.   If you’re curious about what it’s really like to live abroad or if you just want to hear from a fellow expat who relates to you, this episode will provide the insights and real talk you’re looking for.    Throughout, I share stories and examples of how travel has helped me gain a broader perspective, taught me valuable lessons, and expanded my mind (along with my network of friends).   TOPICS DISCUSSED/WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: How travel unlocks and stimulates your senses Why you become more present and mindful

After struggling with addiction and overdosing in college, Francis Nayan decided to take a job teaching English in Europe. Unfortunately, the pay wasn’t very good ($800 per month). But luckily, Francis stumbled upon a meet-up group for foreigners in Budapest, Hungary where he met digital nomads making money online for the first time. Fast-forward a couple years and Francis now makes $100K+ per year a freelance email copywriter and content strategist. In this podcast, Francis and Kristin give testimony to how simple it can be to start making money online and leading a lifestyle of location independence. Francis shares how he got started in the online business world, the benefits of how expat meetups can help you meet people abroad, and how he got his first big client as a freelancer.  He explains his concept of “laptop before lifestyle” and shares some of his favorite productivity hacks. Francis also gives a ton of recommendations for things to do in Hungary and offers advice for those in recovery from addicti