After 5 intense weeks of travel across Turkey, Central Asia, and Prague, I finally made it back to the Expat Money Studios in Panama to bring you a full debrief on the journey. From scouting new destinations to dealing with airline chaos at a level I’ve never seen before (and that’s saying a lot), this trip had a bit of everything.

In this episode, I’m joined by my colleague Marc Clair as we break down the countries I visited, the people I met, the challenges I faced along the way, and why, despite the insanity, travel remains one of the most powerful and important tools for building real freedom.

Enjoy!

IN TODAY’S EPISODE

• Listen in to hear why Turkey has become our seasonal base for European and Central Asian travel
• Find out why Kyrgyzstan shocked me with its mix of friendliness, modern infrastructure, and stunning mountain landscape
• Hear me detail the “Qatar Airways fiasco,” from last-minute ticketing issues to overnight airport chaos and how it nearly derailed the trip
• Get the story behind my keynote at the Free Cities Conference in Prague, delivered despite arriving exhausted and sick

STAY IN TOUCH!

Stay informed about the latest news affecting the expat world and receive a steady stream of my thoughts and opinions on geopolitics by subscribing to our newsletter. You will receive the EMS Pulse® newsletter and the weekly Expat Sunday Times; sign up now and receive my FREE special report, “Plan B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.”

WEALTH, FREEDOM & PASSPORTS CONFERENCE, MARCH 6-7, 2026

Join us in Panama City from March 6-7, 2026, for our second annual in-person event, the Wealth, Freedom and Passports Conference! Get your tickets now, as space is very limited. 

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The post 383: Central Asia: A Chaotic Journey Across An Overlooked Region appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.

Today’s guest is the news editor over at Antiwar dot com and host of the daily podcast Antiwar News with Dave DeCamp. In this episode, we will be discussing the geopolitical situation as we head into a possible World War III scenario.

While it’s not the cheeriest of subjects, this is a necessary conversation to have given the current state of affairs, so I hope you find great value in it.

TODAY’S CONVERSATION WITH DAVE DECAMP

• Listen to Dave recount how he first became a passionate antiwar activist and how he was able to turn that passion into speaking about the subject full-time. 
• Hear Dave break down the current geopolitical situation involving Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. and its NATO allies, and why we are closer to a hot war situation than at any time during the Cold War. 
• Dave breaks down how the situation between China and Taiwan is escalating simultaneously and how the United States has been sabre-rattling on the Asian front as well.
• Dave and I discuss the role of Elon Musk in providing Starlink support to Ukraine. Is he really a hero, as many libertarians seem to believe, or is he another wolf in sheep’s clothing?
• What would a full-scale war involving the U.S., Russia, or China look like? Dave breaks down the frightening possibilities of “warfare we’ve never seen before.”
• Has World War III already begun? Dave and I discuss the idea that the war has already begun and how the definition of just what constitutes an act of war has shifted so drastically in recent years.
• We discuss Turkey’s unique role as a peace broker and a thorn in the side of NATO in many ways, even while being a member state. 
• What does Vladimir Putin want, and how far is the U.S. willing to continue to escalate its vast funding of the war in Ukraine? Dave and I both ponder these questions.
• We also dig into the role some surprising countries have played in escalating tensions, like my former home Canada and even the supposedly neutral Switzerland.
• Dave and I cap things off by discussing what the best region of the world would be if a full World War really does break out. 

RELATED EPISODES

242: De-Dollarization and a BRICS Commodity-Backed Reserve Currency

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069: Richard Maybury – How Will The Trade War With China Affect You And Your Investments

HOW TO FIND DAVE DECAMP’S WORK

AntiWar.com

Antiwar News with Dave DeCamp

CONCLUSION

As much as this is a conversation I didn’t necessarily want to have, I don’t think it helps us any to bury our heads in the sand as some truly dangerous situations play out across the globe. I’ve been listening to Dave’s podcast since he started, and he was the first person that came to mind when I decided I had to do an episode on the topic of a potential World War. I hope the information proves useful to you as you plan your expat journey. 

The post 253: Where To Go If We Have World War III – Dave DeCamp appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.

In today’s episode, I am going to share a portion of this past weekend’s workshop on Brazil, in which I gave a presentation about the de-dollarisation that is happening in the world and what we’re going to see with either a new reserve currency or a second reserve currency in the world.

This is an extremely important topic that is going to affect everyone’s investments, and no “Plan B” is complete without factoring in what is going to occur with reserve currencies over the coming years. Enjoy!

TODAY’S PRESENTATION ON DE-DOLLARIZATION AND A BRICS COMMODITY-BACKED RESERVE CURRENCY

• I break down why many nations are currently fleeing the dollar, paving the way for new potential reserve currencies.
• Tune in as I go through a number of headlines from around the world highlighting the steps many countries are taking towards de-dollarization.
• I lay out which countries I believe will join up with the BRICS countries, including a few that may surprise you. 
• I dig further into the prospects of a BRICS reserve currency, and just what it might be backed by.
• Listen as I explain how this de-dollarization movement might not only threaten the U.S. dollar but the very use of fiat currencies in the global economy.
• I further look at the sheer vastness of the BRICS countries in terms of sheer size, population and resources. It’s truly mindblowing to think of the potential of their combined power. 
• I address the biggest question my audience will be asking: so how do we play this? What can we do to profit off of what is to come?
• Aside from the question of which commodities to play, I also look further at the pros and cons of each of the BRICS nations themselves. 
• Lastly, I answer the question on everyone’s mind “What am I doing with all of this information?” I offer a glimpse into my financial strategy going forward as it pertains to de-dollarization and the BRICS nations.

RELATED EPISODES

205: From California to Brazil An Expat Story – Travis

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HOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BRAZILIAN REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITIES

EMAIL: expat@BeachfrontOffers.com

CONCLUSION

I hope you enjoyed this taste of the workshop from this past weekend. I am constantly trying to increase my listeners’ knowledge and understanding of the most important emerging economic issues and opportunities out there, and Brazil stands out to me as having some of the most potential of any nation across the globe.

See you all next Wednesday on the podcast!

The post 242: Navigating De-Dollarization: The Emergence of a BRICS Commodity-Backed Currency appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.

Josh Summers is an expert in online security and identity protection who has lived and worked in Asia since 2006. He has written for Lonely Planet, published his own travel guides, and built multiple online brands that reach tens of millions of people each year.

I am doing my best to stay current on the latest developments in privacy and security, and I was thrilled to speak with Josh, one of the most well-informed voices on these issues.

TODAY’S CONVERSATION WITH JOSH SUMMERS

• Listen in as Josh recounts how living in highly surveilled China led him to take on a more complete understanding of privacy and surveillance issues.
• Josh and I discuss how we bridge the gap between our own personal privacy while still maintaining a personal brand and business.
• Josh explains why he sees himself as a “privacy pragmatist” in how he views finding the right level of achievable privacy for himself and his family.
• Listen as Josh details the 3 different solution sets for privacy – which one is right for you?
• We dig into how to look at the pros and cons of Big Tech companies and how even the biggest Big Tech villain can offer its own privacy advantages. 
• Josh lays out some of the most basic first steps that everyone with a baseline level of privacy concern should take. Have you done these yourself?
• Josh explains the concept of “salting” a password on top of using a password manager. This is a great idea that I’ll be implementing right away!
• Hear Josh emphasize the importance of holding the keys to your own security. Is your security in your own hands or that of a third party?
• Josh and I dig into some of the more advanced techniques for securing your devices. I’ll be curious to hear if my audience has been utilizing any of these tactics!
• We discuss how to navigate the KYC Problem. How can you protect your identity when everyone requires you to prove it?
• Josh breaks down options for an often forgotten piece of the privacy puzzle – protecting your address via virtual addresses.

RELATED EPISODES

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HOW TO REACH JOSH SUMMERS

Website: All Things Secured

“All Things Secured” YouTube

CONCLUSION

As my listeners know, privacy and security are issues that affect everyone in the age of Big Tech, particularly but not limited to expats. It was great to hear Josh’s perspective on these issues, and as far as I’m concerned, he is one of the best voices for the general public to follow to keep up to date on privacy concerns. 

There was so much great information here that I had to take notes myself! I know you’re going to derive great value from this conversation.

See you all next Wednesday on the podcast!

The post 241: Digital Defense: Josh Summers’ Strategies for Protecting Your Online Presence appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.

Today’s guest is Nick Donnelly, a web developer working on a Solana NFT crypto startup. He has been a digital nomad for 20 years since a very random trip to China in 2001 and his first backpacking trip to Berlin and Prague shortly after.

He is currently in Bansko, Bulgaria—Europe’s digital nomad hub—and maintains a flat in Prague, where he is based much of the year. He has lived in Saigon and London and travels (while working) several months a year. He has spent many years slow-travelling, visiting 73 countries so far.

HERE IS A SNEAK PEEK OF WHAT WE DISCUSSED…

• It’s maybe not for everyone, but slow travel compared to fast travel, what’s best for you? Make sure you truly understand what makes you happy!
• 3 keys that people just don’t understand about having a happy life. Can this possibly be your life?
• Have you ever considered ‘how do you become a world traveller?’ This episode helps to break down some really great aspects that you probably have never thought about. 
• Are you currently living a life trying to keep up with the Joneses? Do you have 2 luxury cars and a big old house? If you looked back on your life, is that what makes you happy? If not, listen in to hear Nick discuss strategies to get yourself out of that rut. 
• Nick & I talk about some awesome countries that really help to develop their digital nomad communities. Wondering where they are? Could you spend several months a year in any of these amazing countries?
• And the question that comes up often, the language of the locals. Can you get by with English? You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the answer.
• A big discussion on living in a former Communist country, have things changed? What does Communism do to the spirit of the people?
• What life is like in some of the countries around the globe, governments being absolutely abusive…most won’t surprise you.
• What the heck is FIRE? And why is it possibly the most important thing to understand for your retirement!
• Is FIRE for you? Listen in as Nick talks about how it can work for you!

PODCAST EPISODES YOU WILL ENJOY

137: Blockchain And The Future Of The Internet – Marco Wutzer

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HOW TO REACH NICK DONNELLY

Digital Nomads On Fire

CONCLUSION:

I learned a lot of things myself in this episode talking with Nick. He made me rethink some of my preconceived notions about what FIRE is and how it can affect your life, not only now but for the rest of your life. 

No matter where you are in life, whether you are just starting out or have hit the mid-way point in your life, it’s never too late to learn what FIRE is and how to incorporate it into your everyday life.

The post 166: Combining FIRE Lifestyle With Digital Nomadism – Nick Donnelly appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.

Today’s guest on the Expat Money Show is John Fotheringham. He is a linguist, teacher, and author, and has spent 20 years developing a guaranteed method to help you master a foreign language―anywhere.

He is the host of the Language Mastery podcast on all popular podcasting platforms.  In his program, The 7-Step Roadmap to Japanese Fluency, he says you’ll learn how to create a highly effective immersion environment anywhere in the world. 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED IN THIS INTERVIEW:

• The single best technique and one of the most powerful tools in learning a foreign language.
• The top tricks to master before you move to a foreign country will make learning your target language so much easier.
• When you finally do move to a foreign country, how to avoid the expat bubble that so many people fall into and how dangerous it can be for your language learning.
• Ultimately, the time required to see results in your target language and not get discouraged if you don’t reach it when you think you should.
• How real reverse culture shock is, you just won’t believe it. To feel strange in your own country and how that feeling is so normal for everyone.
• The trap people fall into when they visit other countries and look at what we do better, and what they don’t do as well, don’t get caught up in this!
• John shares his stories of moving across the world to a country that was so different from what he was accustomed to and his feelings of missing home. What did he do? And how did he accomplish his goals?
• Exactly how to maximize your time and have the greatest results learning a new language.
• The absolute worst method and most painful way to learn a language that most schools still teach today. (I can guarantee your school teaches this way!)

• How your brain decides what’s important, not you! 
• If you haven’t listened to my episode with Anthony Metivier and his use of the Memory Palace for learning a new language, don’t wait, listen to it now!
• Why put things in context is so powerful.
• How powerful methods like Remembering the Kanji by James W. Heisig can catapult your learning ability.
• Tips and Tricks that allow you to remember more, and why using these early on can help you have fun learning and not feel like such a chore.
• Mikkel and John talk about different apps and systems that have worked for both of them as they master languages. Go Here to learn more!
• For those who are not linguists or language nerds, people tend to think that language is just one thing: listening/learning/speaking/writing, when it is not just 1 thing. John explains in detail how our brains are hardwired to learn, it will all make sense!

RELATED PODCAST EPISODES

• 144: How To Raise Your Children To Be Multilingual – Sarah Tarvin
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HOW TO FIND JOHN FOTHERINGHAM’S WORK

• Language Mastery
• The 7-Step Roadmap to Japanese Fluency

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

If you’d been receiving the EMS Pulse newsletter and the weekly Expat Sunday Times, you would have already read the basics of today’s story! Sign up now, and you’ll also receive my FREE special report, “Plan B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.”

CONCLUSION

I am a huge fan of John’s work and I was absolutely thrilled to have him on our podcast. He did not disappoint. John unpacks so many amazing tips and techniques on how he mastered Japanese and what he has learned along the way. John shares new skills he has acquired over the years that will work for you in your language journey.

The post 147: Mastering a Language Through Full Immersion Before You Travel – John Fotheringham appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.

Today’s guest on the Expat Money Show is Johnny FD from Travel Like a Boss Podcast and the founder of the Digital Nomad super conference, the Nomad Summit. Johnny is a location-independent entrepreneur who began travelling the world in 2008.

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WHAT WE DISCUSSED IN THIS INTERVIEW:

• How to go from corporate America and making $50 K a year to being a Scuba Dive Master and then to a Profession Muy Thai Fighter – How does that happen!!
• Visa’s and work permits around the globe
• The process of how to open and run a successful business
• Creating good karma
• What it was like living and working in Thailand in 2008
• Up & coming countries that are like Thailand
• Tbilisi, Georgia
• 8 years of running a Digital Nomad Summit around the globe and what that looked like in 2020
• What will happen in 2021 with the Digital Nomad Summit
• and tons more…

HOW TO FIND JOHNNY’S WORK

• Travel Like a Boss
• Johnny FD YouTube

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

If you’d been receiving the EMS Pulse newsletter and the weekly Expat Sunday Times, you would have already read the basics of today’s story! Sign up now, and you’ll also receive my FREE special report, “Plan B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.”

CONCLUSION

2020 has been a really tough year for so many people and businesses. As we know, travelling has almost come to a complete halt, but that’s not going to go on forever. Listen to this episode with the mindset that 2021 and going forward will be awesome years. Reach out to Johnny if you love the idea of having a Digital Nomad Summit in 2021, I know he would love to hear from you!

The post 109: Travel Like a Boss: Strategies for Freedom and Adventure – Johnny FD appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.