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 personalities dedicate years – sometimes decades – to this quest? And what happens when visiting every country once isn't enough?

We also dive into the Extraordinary Travel Festival – a unique gathering of travellers, adventurers, nomads, content creators, and curious wanderers from around the world.

You'll hear about:

• The surprisingly tight-knit "tribe" of extreme travellers
• Why Ric created Extraordinary Travel Festival
• The people who've visited every country in the world… twice… or even three times
• Why you don't need 150+ countries to feel welcome at ETF
• Travel content creation, documentaries, books, and storytelling
• Why travel community matters more than country counting

Whether you're an armchair traveller, a digital nomad, a casual explorer, or someone secretly plotting your own 193-country mission – this one is for you.

Relevant Links:

• Extraordinary Travel Festival: https://www.extraordinarytravelfest.com
• GlobalGaz: https://globalgaz.com/
• Counting Countries Podcast: https://globalgaz.com/counting-countries/
• Nomad Mania: https://nomadmania.com/
• Every Passport Stamp (Facebook Group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/everypassportstamp

Extraordinary Travel Festival 3 Bangkok, Thailand 22–25 October 2026 Get $100 off your ETF ticket with promo code: VAGABOND (Discount decreases as the event gets closer.)

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 the World," documenting his travels to some of the most misunderstood places on the planet.

We talk about how a failed business turned into a journey through 170 countries… how getting fired can push you into a completely new life… and why travel often restores your faith in humanity.

This is a conversation about more than just destinations. It's about what happens when you choose freedom – and what that actually looks like behind the scenes.

Key Takeaways

• How failure, setbacks, and unexpected moments can completely change your life trajectory
• The difference between fast travel and slow travel – and why it matters more than you think
• How creating content opens doors and creates deeper human connections
• Why countries like Iran and Pakistan are often misunderstood – and what they're really like
• The balance between experiencing the moment and documenting it
• How travel can reshape your worldview and restore your faith in humanity
• Why freedom of mobility is one of the greatest privileges we have

Relevant Links

• Phils Guide to the World! (Phil's YouTube channel): https://youtube.com/@phils_guide
• Watch the video with the lost drone in Pakistan here: https://youtu.be/MGQsH9TEZsQ?si=BCC8aImtAHUF1VnG&t=5919
• Phil Marcus on Instagram: @philsguide – https://www.instagram.com/philsguide/
• The Maverick Show (Matt's podcast): https://www.themaverickshow.com
• The interview with Palle Bo on The Maverick Show: https://www.themaverickshow.com/podcast/387-nomading-in-your-60s-palle-bo-on-127-countries-travel-podcasting-life-as-the-radio-vagabond/
• Matt on Instagram: @maverickshowpod – https://www.instagram.com/maverickshowpod/

If you enjoy this episode, make sure to follow or subscribe to The Radio Vagabond in your podcast app – and feel free to share it with someone who loves travel stories as much as you do.

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. Between motorcycles and laughter, we talk about preserving Danish culture, small-town pride, and community spirit.

It's a perfect ending to my time in "Dane Country."

See pictures and read more on https://www.theradiovagabond.com/339-elk-horn-iowa/

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 story of the Danes who left everything in the 1860s and crossed the Atlantic in search of a better life on the American prairie.

See pictures and read more on https://www.theradiovagabond.com/335-elk-horn-iowa-usa/

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 Prince Otto. From documentaries that made locals famous in Denmark to preserved heritage homes and cultural festivals, Elk Horn continues to celebrate its Danish roots with pride.

See pictures and read more on https://www.theradiovagabond.com/338-elk-horn-iowa/

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 true Saudi style – surrounded by majestic camels competing in a beauty contest with millions at stake. This country has surprised me in every way.

See pictures and read more on https://www.theradiovagabond.com/257-saudi-arabia/

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 – with a dramatic sunset rescue by friendly locals. As Saudi Arabia opens up to visitors, this mix of hospitality, history, and high-tech design feels like a glimpse into the country's future.

See pictures and read more on https://www.theradiovagabond.com/254-saudi-arabia/

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 strangers. The journey leads us through Hail and into Al-Ula, where we stand face-to-face with the ancient beauty of Elephant Rock – and, of course, get stuck in the sand. See pictures and read more on https://www.theradiovagabond.com/251-saudi-arabia/

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 everything from a stressful airport check-in and a not-yet-running metro to quad biking in the desert and sunset reflections in Riyadh's Nabd Al Riyadh.

See pictures and read more on https://www.theradiovagabond.com/248-saudi-arabia/

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. It's a story of awe, adrenaline, and one unforgettable night.

Listen to the episode, and if you want to see the photos and read more about this trip, visit: https://www.theradiovagabond.com/215-rio-de-janeiro/