February 11, 2025

Profiling Every UN Nation (In Alphabetical Order), Travel through Geography, Lessons from 10 Years of YouTube Success with Paul Barbato of Geography Now

1 hour 40 minutes

What would it be like to travel the world alphabetically or create a YouTube channel that inspires millions?

Paul Barbato is the creator of Geography Now, the first YouTube channel dedicated to covering every UN-recognized country in alphabetical order. Since its inception in 2014, the channel has featured episodes exploring each nation's geography, culture, history, politics, and quirks. With a unique blend of humor and educational content, Paul has built a global audience, making complex geographical and geopolitical information accessible and enjoyable for viewers of all ages.

Whether you’re a content creator, geography nerd, or someone looking for inspiration to tackle your next big idea, you’ll find plenty of insight as Paul shares the story behind his channel’s success and what it’s like to wrap up such a massive creative undertaking after 10 years.

Paul’s reflections are raw and relatable, touching on themes like identity, imposter syndrome, and navigating creative burnout. He discusses the highs and lows of being a YouTube creator in a rapidly evolving digital world and gives candid advice for aspiring content creators.

Paul also reveals his favorite hidden gem destinations and places that make him wonder, “Why don’t more people go here?”

PLUS: In this episode, I kick off a new road trip series featuring my top choices for the best USA road trips.

What travel quest would you love to go on? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

Premium Passport:

Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now!

Tune In To Learn:

The story behind his life-changing burglary and the existential crisis that followed

Why Paul started Geography Now and how he built an international community

Why connecting with locals is the secret to understanding a country

What it’s like to wrap up a decade-long creative project and prepare for what’s next

Paul’s favorite off-the-beaten-path destinations you haven’t heard of

Honest insight for content creators navigating today’s high-production digital world

How he stays motivated after 10 years on YouTube despite creative burnout and changing algorithms

His personal Popcare Index for rating crowded tourist spots and how to avoid them

His thoughts on traveling to controversial destinations and how the perceptions of a country’s government often differ from the on-the-ground reality

How reconnecting with his Korean heritage helped him reclaim a part of his identity

And so much more

Resources:

Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport

Subscribe to Geography Now on YouTube

Follow on Instagram and Facebook

Extraordinary Travel Festival

Globe Trekker

Want More?

The Geography of Bliss With Eric Weiner

The World’s Most Traveled Person on the Ethics of Gamifying Travel, Best Regions in the World, and Why To Keep Traveling With Harry Mitsidis of NomadMania

Exploring A Single Map: A Travel Adventure For Everyone With Alastair Humphreys

Independent Travel as a Female in Afghanistan, Hitchhiking Iraq, and Ex-Pat Life in Sudan with Jacquelyn Kunz

Thanks To Our Sponsors

Defender - Explore the full lineup at landroverusa.com

Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order.

Saily - Go to saily.com/zerototravel and download the SAILY app - use the code ‘zerototravel’ at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase

...more

View all episodes

By Jason Moore

4.6

784784 ratings