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In this episode of Become Nomad, hosts Eli and Dan explore one of the most fascinating aspects of travel: understanding the national psyche.

Drawing from their experiences in countries such as Singapore, Thailand, and the United States, they discuss how culture, pace, and mindset shape the way societies operate and what those differences can teach us about adapting as travelers.They also introduce two of their favorite mental models for interpreting culture: the Escalator Approach, a way to understand how societies move collectively toward progress, and the Uber Test, a quick lens for sensing how a country approaches service, efficiency, and social interaction.

By the end of the conversation, Eli and Dan reflect on how these insights help them and their listeners see beyond surface impressions, recognizing the deeper mental patterns that define each place.

Join them as they unpack what it truly means to understand a country not through its landmarks but through its mindset.

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In this episode, Dan and Eli share their annual reflections on the nomadic and sometimes non-nomadic chapters of their lives. They talk about how their lifestyles are evolving, the questions they are asking themselves as life changes, and what being nomadic really means to them today.

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In this episode, Eli catches up with longtime friend and digital nomad Derek Baron. They talk about what it really takes to keep the lifestyle going for over 20 years, from shifting travel patterns and new nomad hubs to the struggles of relationships and work on the road. Derek also shares why he's moved from blogging to newsletters and how shorter, more purposeful trips keep the journey meaningful.

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In this episode, Eli shares his personal journey of creating a "Week of Disconnection," a practice he has maintained since 2016. From his recent travels in Singapore and Vietnam, he reflects on the hidden costs of constant connectivity and how structured digital detox weeks have transformed his work, lifestyle, and wellbeing.

In this episode Eli talks with James Clark, the legendary digital nomad behind Nomadic Notes. With over 20 years of experience, James shares his insights on how the digital nomad lifestyle has evolved since the pandemic, including the rise of digital nomad visas and the shift to career-driven travel. They also dive into the growing appeal of Southeast Asia, with Danang, Vietnam, now crowned as the new digital nomad capital of the region!

Nikita is back to teach us everything he knows about staying disciplined while constantly on the move. Eli is mostly just hoping some of it can rub off on him so he can finally wake up and make it to important appointments on time. The talk includes finding freedom through structure, building rituals on the road, and how discipline can come from joy rather than force. Along the way: ice cream at 2am, spiritual treks in Portugal, and why Eli sometimes locks his phone in a bag just to stay focused.

Living as a nomad starts with a remote job, but it doesn't end there. In this episode, Eli speaks with Anna Maria Kochanska about building a career on the move, turning remote work into real impact, and why Cape Verde might be your next favorite destination.

Nikita and Eli catch up and talk about the rituals they follow when arriving in new places, such as gathering around campfires, along with a range of other related topics.

It's always on our minds as we seek to make this lifestyle sustainable -- the financial aspect of location independent work. Because let's not sugar-coat it: building a career that lets you enjoy such freedom requires work. It requires asking some tough questions and finding your particular answers.

Here, Eli touches on how to approach tackling uncertainty, intention setting, becoming world class, accounting for technological change, and a whole lot more of those tough questions.