What does it really look like to build a digital nomad lifestyle that lasts years, not just months?

In this episode, Marisa sat down with Blythe, a longtime listener of the show who’s been living the remote work dream across the globe.

She shares what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what she wishes every new digital nomad knew before getting started.

Whether you’re dreaming of your first trip or wondering how to make this lifestyle sustainable, you’ll find honest advice, funny stories, and surprising takeaways from someone who’s truly been there.

🕒 Episode Highlights:

🐢 Travel speed: The unexpected benefits of slow travel vs. fast travel

🤗 Community: Building friendships and community as a long-term nomad

She also talks about: How remote work has shaped her day-to-day freedom, dealing with fear, uncertainty, and burnout on the road, and lessons only years of nomad life can teach you and what she’d do differently if she started today

Get work-from-anywhere job alerts sent to your inbox today to land a job that will let you work from anywhere.

beachcommute.com/email

If you’ve been applying to remote jobs and hearing crickets, or don’t even know where to start, this episode is for you.

Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on why most people struggle to land a fully remote job, what’s actually working right now in the market, and how our Remote Job FastTrack program is designed to guide you through the process.

We also share real stories from our team, the behind-the-scenes mistakes that keep applicants stuck, and the strategies that have helped people land interviews for jobs they didn’t even think were possible.

Episode Highlights:

🎙 [00:00] Why This Episode Is Different
We set aside our normal storytelling to talk about something that could change your career path.

💡 [00:08] Why Finding a Remote Job Is So Hard Right Now
The market realities no one is talking about—and why it’s not just “apply more.”

🛑 [00:14] The Top 3 Mistakes Remote Job Seekers Make
From resume traps to missed networking opportunities.

🧭 [00:22] How the Remote Job FastTrack Works
Our step-by-step approach to getting you clear, visible, and competitive in the remote job market.

📖 [00:27] Ian’s Story
How he went from struggling to landing a role that lets him work from anywhere.

🔍 [00:34] Decoding the Hidden Job Market
Where the best remote jobs are hiding, and how to find them.

🎧 Whether you’re ready to join the Remote Job FastTrack or just want insider strategies for your job search, this episode will give you clarity and next steps.

If you'd like to apply to Remote Job Fast Track, you can submit your info here:

Beachcommute.com/apply

-----------------------------------------

This episode is for educational and informational purposes only. Your actual results—including job offers, salaries, and how long it takes to get hired—will vary depending on your experience, skills, effort, and the job market. We do not guarantee job placement, specific salaries, or timelines. Any success stories or examples mentioned are not typical and are shared to illustrate what's possible—not what’s promised.

In this episode, Jeff and Marisa dive deep into what it really takes to build meaningful friendships while traveling, and the biggest reasons people end up lonely while chasing the dream.

Episode Highlights:

🏡 Coliving Spaces: The Good, the Boutique, and the IsolatedNot all coliving is created equal. How to find the ones that actually build community (and which ones feel like glorified hostels).

🌍 WiFi Tribe: Built-In Friends or Emotional Crutch?Reflections on how structured nomad groups like WiFi Tribe help or hinder your ability to build your own community.

💻 Coworking Spaces: Connection Hub or Just a Desk?We unpack the myth of coworking as a social space—and what actually happens when you're head-down behind a laptop.

🏐 Sports Groups: The Friend-Making Hack You’re Probably IgnoringWhy pickup volleyball, spikeball, pickleball and casual leagues might be the most natural way to meet real friends without trying.

🕵️ [00:50] Debunking the Big Lies of Nomad FriendshipsWe challenge common advice we’ve seen online, from meetups to Facebook groups to coworking-based assumptions.

🎧 Tune in if you’ve ever felt lonely while living the dream, or just want to build deeper friendships wherever you are in the world.

To get a fully remote job so that you can start traveling the world, make sure to subscribe to our daily job alerts: beachcommute.com/email

Ever been somewhere and thought, “Why don’t we do this back home?”
That’s what this episode is all about.

From fika breaks in Sweden to barefoot freedom in Costa Rica, we’re sharing the cultural customs we fell in love with while traveling—and the ones we seriously wish we could steal.

Also: no llama fetus sacrifices this time. (Yes, that’s a real thing in Bolivia.)

🎉 [00:00] Why Cultural Customs Matter
A quick intro—and the surprising things we’re not bringing home.

☕ [00:05] A Coffee Break with Soul How slowing down and making space for conversation totally changed how we work.

🥾 [00:10] Barefoot Living in Costa Rica No shoes, no stress—how this simple lifestyle shift impacted our nervous systems.

🥟 [00:18] The Power of Shared Meals How food rituals—from Georgia to Guatemala—bond people better than meetings ever could.

🎒 [00:23] Outdoor Everything in Europe Parks, picnics, plaza culture—why being outside is treated so differently abroad.

🫶 [00:28] Hospitality Traditions That Stunned Us From tea in Morocco to open-door homes in South Africa—how generosity showed up around the world.

👣 [00:32] Grounding in Nature as a Daily Norm What cultures get right about walking barefoot, forest bathing, and reconnecting.

💡 [00:37] The One Custom We Each Wish Was Global Our personal top picks—and how they’ve shaped our values.

Get a remote job and live anywhere in the world: beachcommute.com/email

This week, we’re diving into the hot takes, hard truths, and hilariously uncomfortable questions that digital nomads are asking online, from Reddit rabbit holes to unfiltered social threads. No prep, no script, just real talk.

Some answers might surprise you. Some might offend you. All of them? Raw and real.

🔥 [00:00] The Rules: No Scripts, Just Spitfire Takes
Why we didn’t prep for this episode—and why that might be a mistake.

🤔 [00:06] “Are You Just Running Away from Life?”We tackle the most common (and annoying) criticism nomads face.

🏝️ [00:11] “Are Digital Nomads Even Contributing to Society?”This one gets heated. Spoiler: We have thoughts.

❤️ [00:18] “Can You Actually Have a Real Relationship While Traveling?”Long-distance. Short flings. Love in motion. Let’s talk about it.

💻 [00:24] “Is Anyone Actually Working on These Beaches?”A brutal (and honest) breakdown of work vs. vibes.

🌍 [00:29] “Where’s the Line Between Travel and Cultural Disrespect?”We dive into cultural sensitivity, cringe-worthy moments, and how to do better.

🧳 [00:35] “What If You’re Just... Lost?”The existential question no one wants to admit—but most nomads have asked.

👀 [00:42] “What’s the Most Unexpected Thing No One Told You?”Our biggest shocks, regrets, and unexpected wins from years on the road.

🎤 This one’s loose, loud, and very real. Tune in for laughs, cringe, and truth bombs—straight from the digital nomad frontlines.

How to Make $72K–$168K Remotely—Even Without Prior Experience

What if you could break into a fully remote career where on-target earnings often range from $72K to $168K per year—even if you don’t have direct experience in the field? And what if that path could give you the freedom to work from anywhere in the world in just a few weeks?

In this episode, Marisa sits down with Beach Commuter, Ian, to unpack one of the most surprising and fast-growing remote career paths available today. It’s a role most people overlook—but it could be the perfect fit for your income goals and lifestyle.

 You’ll discover:

• What this remote role actually entails

• The two primary paths within the field

• Why it’s ideal for digital nomads (or anyone tired of the office)

• How some people are getting hired in as little as 2–4 weeks

• Why this is one of the fastest ways to land a remote job with high earning potential

If you’ve been spinning your wheels applying to remote roles on job boards…

 This episode will show you a new path—and the tools to pursue it.

Apply to see if Remote Job Fast Track is a fit for you: beachcommute.com/apply

 Want vetted remote job openings sent straight to your inbox? beachcommute.com/email

Disclaimer: This episode is for educational and informational purposes only. The on target earnings ranges, earnings figures, and hiring timelines discussed reflect averages publicly listed by hiring companies for these roles, and are not specific to our clients or program participants. We are sharing data as reported by employers in job postings and industry sources, not as guarantees or promises of individual outcomes.

Your actual results—including job offers, salaries, and how long it takes to get hired—will vary depending on your experience, skills, effort, and the job market. We do not guarantee job placement, specific salaries, or timelines. Any success stories or examples mentioned are not typical and are shared to illustrate what's possible—not what’s promised.

We break down a recent viral article titled "My Mind Was Shrieking: What Am I Doing?"—a dramatic takedown of the digital nomad dream.

But how accurate is it really? Let’s talk about the nuance, the truth, and what’s really going on beneath the surface.

📉 [00:00] Is Big Cubicle Coming for Us?Why the media suddenly hates digital nomads—and who benefits from that fear.

🧳 [00:05] When the Dream Starts to CrumbleA traveler’s story of freedom turned to confusion—how chasing “more” went sideways.

🚩 [00:08] Nomad Red Flags: Are You Escaping or Expanding?Party-hopping, country-counting, and the numbing spiral that looks a lot like growth.

⛔ [00:12] Travel Can’t Heal What You’re AvoidingThe illusion of constant motion—and the crash when it stops working.

🎭 [00:16] The “Fake Freedom” TrapWhat happens when your passport is full but your life feels empty.

🧘 [00:20] Self-Soothing or Self-Sabotage?The fine line between using travel to regulate… and using it to run.

✔️ [00:24] What the Article Actually Gets RightSpoiler: It’s not all wrong. Here’s where the critique hits home.

🌅 [00:27] Nomads Who Are Doing It RightReal-life stories of people who are thriving—and how they’ve built it intentionally.

🏗️ [00:30] How to Build a Life That Doesn’t Burn You OutBalance, community, routines, and all the good stuff that keeps you sane.

🧭 [00:34] The 5 Signs You’re Losing Your Nomad CompassWhat to watch for when your lifestyle stops aligning with your values.

💬 [00:38] Our Own Identity Crises (Yep, We’ve Been There)Personal stories of burnout, misalignment, and coming out the other side.

📝 [00:42] Rewriting the Nomad NarrativeA more honest—and more human—vision for what this life can really be.

🎧 Listen in to get past the headlines and into the heart of what it really means to live (and thrive) as a digital nomad.

Get daily fully-remote jobs sent to your inbox: beachcommute.com/email

Ever wondered why you feel so alive in some places—and so drained in others? In this episode, Jeff and Marisa peel back the layers of how travel, environment, and even the tiniest details of where you live can transform your mindset.

☀️ [00:03] Sunlight and Natural Light
Explore the science behind daylight exposure, serotonin boosts, and why you might feel better the moment you step into the sun.

🏠 [00:09] Big Windows & Bright Spaces
Learn how architecture and interior design—think massive windows vs. dark little caves—can make or break your mood.

❄️ [00:14] Seasonal Depression and Light Access
Hear how digital nomads escape the winter blues by chasing the sun when most people are stuck inside.

🌳 [00:18] Proximity to Green Spaces
Why trees, parks, and daily nature contact have a profound impact on stress, health, and happiness.

🌿 [00:23] Grounding & Barefoot Contact
Get the lowdown on grounding—what happens when you ditch your shoes and reconnect directly with the earth.

🌊 [00:28] Blue Spaces: The Healing Power of Water
Oceans, rivers, waterfalls—why moving water does wonders for calming your nervous system.

🗺️ [00:33] Specific Destinations for Nature Lovers
Travel inspiration for your next mood-boosting escape, from Costa Rica and Colombia to the mountains of Patagonia.

🏙️ [00:38] City Life vs. Natural Settings
A real talk on how urban environments drain us—and what happens when you finally step into wide-open spaces.

🔄 [00:43] The Role of Novelty and Change
How new places, fresh sights, and unexpected experiences can instantly reset your outlook.

🌱 [00:48] Creating Micro-Environments at Home
Simple ideas to bring a little of that outdoors magic into your daily space—wherever you are.

🌍 [00:52] Digital Nomad Life as a Mental Health Strategy
Why having the freedom to choose your environment might be the most underrated self-care move you can make.

If you want to get a remote job, make sure to follow Beach Commute's daily remote job newsletter with hot opportunities that will let you work from anywhere in the world.

beachcommute.com/email

What Actually Happens in a Year of Digital Nomad Life?

Ever wondered what a full year looks like when you're working remotely and bouncing between countries? We take you behind the Instagram filters and into the spreadsheets as we recount exactly where we lived, worked, and wandered over the past year.

2018 — The Experiment Begins
13:03 – Marisa shares how she "really started nomading" with a 6-week stint in Indonesia. Jeff starts dabbling in San Diego.
17:27 – Jeff finds his first nomad community via WiFi Tribe and gets the travel bug.

2019 — The Wild One
18:55 – Jeff and Marisa's paths cross. 2019 is packed with fast travel, wild detours, and a taste of “let’s go everywhere” energy.
22:09 – Jeff calls it: “2019 was f***ing wild.”

2020 — Pandemic Plot Twist
25:40 – The year starts in Mexico and ends with everyone being told to fly home.
30:38 – Marisa bookends her year in Playa del Carmen.

2021 — The Recovery Year
32:13 – Big group mansions, hernia surgeries, and "lessons learned" define this post-lockdown transition year.

2022 — The Reset Year
39:19 – Marisa calls it her least traveled year—here’s why.
45:00 – Jeff returns to a place that "called him back since 2018."

2023 — Burnout and Breaks
49:17 – Stateside living dominates as both reflect on burnout and slowing down.
51:40 – Jeff spends 6 months in the US feeling like he "didn’t want to go anywhere."

2024 — Healing and Stillness
54:00 – Marisa finds out about her mold toxicity; both reflect on how stillness brought clarity.

2025 — Back in Motion
56:32 – A busier year kicks off, but the future is still wide open.

🌍 For Aspiring Nomads and Curiosity-Seekers Alike…

This episode is your peek behind the curtain:

Do you ever feel like Instagram is lying to you about remote work? You're not alone—and in this episode, we’re calling out the bullsh*t.

Jeff and Marisa dive headfirst into the myths, misconceptions, and subtle societal messages that try to dissuade people from living the digital nomad lifestyle.

These aren’t just misunderstandings—they’re propaganda, and we’re setting the record straight.

🚫 Is it true that you'll never get promoted unless you're in the office?

🚫 Do you really have to work from Bali or Lisbon to be a 'real' digital nomad?

🚫 Is remote work just for people without “serious” careers?

Spoiler: All of that is nonsense.

In this refreshingly honest episode, you’ll learn:

• Why some outdated companies still confuse "showing up" with doing good work
• What kinds of remote workers actually do get promoted (and how to become one)
• The surprisingly harmful advice people post about remote work on social media
• How to think critically about the content you're fed in the digital nomad space

You’ll also hear some hilarious back-and-forths, personal stories from our own nomadic journeys, and hot takes you won’t find on your algorithmically-curated feed.

Whether you're just dreaming about working from anywhere or already living the laptop lifestyle, this episode will help you cut through the noise and build a remote career that’s actually right for you.

🎧 Hit play if you’re tired of remote work clichés and ready for the real talk.

📧 Want to get work-from-anywhere remote job alerts sent to your email each day? www.beachcommute.com/email