What is a country?
American journalist and author Eric Czuleger set out to answer that very question with his recent book, You Are Not Here: Travels Through Countries That Don't Exist, which shares about his year living in only unrecognized nations, such as Iraqi Kurdistan and Kosovo. The goal of this book is to invite readers to ask big questions about what it means to be a citizen of their own nation.
Eric and I talk about his experience and touch on various topics, such as storytelling and the media, culture and identity, geopolitics, his brief stint as an intelligence analyst, and why he had to learn to like the world again. You’ll learn about the future of nation-states, his near-death experience in South Africa, reverse culture shock, expat life in Albania, and so much more.
This episode will give you plenty of insights into the importance of storytelling, perception, and following your “peculiar” interests.
Why do you travel? I'd love to hear your reasons, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.
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The changing landscape of Albania and the emergence of geo-arbitrageThe importance of asking questions and understanding culture when travelingHow the stories we tell ourselves shape our worldview and the intersection of personal and national storiesThe experience of adopting new perspectives and cultural concepts while keeping (or breaking away from) your ownHis shocking life-or-death experience in South Africa and what that taught him about having the courage to share your story Geopolitics and the framework of nation-states and independent nationsThe fascinating people you meet in non-countries and conflict zonesQuick tips for traveling in non-countriesThe greatest shift in his beliefs after having these experiencesA thought experiment on global problems and solutionsThe future of the nation-state matrix and world economicsAnd so much moreJoin Zero To Travel Premium PassportSign up for our FREE newsletterFollow Eric on InstagramGrab his book You Are Not Here: Travels Through Countries That Don't ExistListen to his podcast Howl: Strange Short Fiction for a Strange Short ExistenceSubscribe to his Substack Exponential TimesGetting off the Beaten Path With Travel Writing Legend Joe Cummings7 Pro Tips For Traveling In Dangerous Countries w/ Bjorn PalssonGreatest Hits: Factfulness – Why The World Is Better Than You ThinkNissan - There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com.
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