Episodes

  • 351: Investigating War Crimes and Fighting for Human Rights in Chiapas, Guatemala, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Iraq, Cambodia and Palestine with Etelle Higonnet

    351: Investigating War Crimes and Fighting for Human Rights in Chiapas, Guatemala, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Iraq, Cambodia and Palestine with Etelle Higonnet
    Aug 25 2025
    Hear stories about standing up for human rights around the world and struggling for truth, accountability and justice. _____________________________ Subscribe to The Maverick Show’s Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.). Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________ Etelle Higonnet joins Matt for a wine night from Copenhagen, and begins by talking about her role as a founding member of the Sustainable Wine Round table. She then describes her family background, her experience moving around growing up, and how her passion for social justice developed. Etelle talks about her college experience at Yale and what compelled her to move to Guatemala to work with refugees and displaced people. She describes a scary encounter there with masked gunmen and her eventual publication a book on the U.S.-backed genocide in Guatemala. Etelle then talks about spending time in Chiapas, Mexico, supporting a lawsuit brought by indigenous women, and attending a speech by Subcommandante Marcos, the spokesperson of the Zapatista movement. Next, she describes her experience working for Human Rights Watch and investigating crimes of sexual violence in the Ivory Coast after the 2007 civil war. Etelle also talks about her time living in Iraq documenting testimonies from victims of political violence, her human rights work with Amnesty International in Sierra Leone, and her role in helping establish the Cambodian war crimes tribunal. She reflects on the history and legacy of French colonialism, the need for post-colonial justice systems, and shares some human rights victories in Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone. Finally, Etelle offers her insights, strategies, and encouragement to everyone working to stop the genocide in Palestine. FULL SHOW NOTES WITH DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED ARE AVAILABLE HERE. ____________________________________ See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ____________________________________ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Please Leave a Rating and Review. It really helps the show and I read each one personally. You Can Buy Me a Coffee. Espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • 350: Full-Time World Travel as a Deafblind Latina and Smashing Disability Stigma Through Storytelling, Advocacy and Education with Catarina Rivera

    350: Full-Time World Travel as a Deafblind Latina and Smashing Disability Stigma Through Storytelling, Advocacy and Education with Catarina Rivera
    Aug 18 2025
    Learn about traveling the world as a deafblind Latina—salsa dancing, sumo-wrestling and becoming a disability advocate. _____________________________ Subscribe to The Maverick Show’s Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.). Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________ Catarina joins Matt and talks about growing up in the U.S. in an immigrant home with Puerto Rican and Cuban heritage. She reflects on what those identities mean to her as well as her deafblind disability journey with Usher syndrome. Catarina debunks common misconceptions people have about deafblind people and offers tips on non-disabled people can be better allies to disabled travelers. She then reflects on how her interest in world travel developed and tells stories from a family trip to Spain in high school and more immersive trips to rural Kentucky, Argentina and Korea in college. Next, Catarina talks about her first solo-trip with the white cane to Montreal, her love for Salsa dancing around the world, and her recent trip to Japan where she had epic tea experiences and got to try sumo-wrestling. She then talks about the trip she led to Portugal for disable travelers and reflects and the power and impact of that experience. Catarina next takes us on her journey of becoming an intersectional activist and building a fully remote company to smash disability stigmas. She explains how she designs her travel lifestyle and offers trips for disabled travelers as well as those traveling with a relationship partner. And finally Catarina reflects on how traveling to nearly 40 countries has impacted her as a person. FULL SHOW NOTES INCLUDING DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED ARE AVAILABLE HERE. ____________________________________ See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See HowI Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ____________________________________ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Please Leave a Rating and Review. It really helps the show and I read each one personally. You Can Buy Me a Coffee. Espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)
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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • 349: Visiting Occupied Palestine, Becoming the Queen of Trips, and How Men Can Be Better Allies to Women Travelers with Mari Monsalve

    349: Visiting Occupied Palestine, Becoming the Queen of Trips, and How Men Can Be Better Allies to Women Travelers with Mari Monsalve
    Aug 11 2025
    Hear stories from visiting the occupied West Bank, being sexually harassed in Guatemala & founding the “Queen of Trips” _____________________________ Subscribe to The Maverick Show’s Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.). Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________ In Part 2 of this interview, Mari Monsalve talks about her experience visiting the occupied Palestinian West Bank and reflects on anti-colonial solidarity. She then opens up about her trip to Guatemala where she was sexually harassed by a hotel employee. Mari reflects on solo-female travel safety and offers suggestions for how men can be better allies to women travelers. She then talks about founding the “Queen of Trips” platform to empower Latinas to confidently explore the world through solo travel, and what type of content she is putting out via her blog, newsletter, and social media. Finally, Mari reflects on the impact all of this travel has had on her as a person. FULL SHOW NOTES INCLUDING DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED ARE AVAILABLE HERE. ____________________________________ See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ____________________________________ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Please Leave a Rating and Review. It really helps the show and I read each one personally. You Can Buy Me a Coffee. Espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)
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    46 mins
  • 348: Colombia from the Pablo Escobar Era to Today & Using Travel as a Tool to Recover from Cancer with Mari Monsalve

    348: Colombia from the Pablo Escobar Era to Today & Using Travel as a Tool to Recover from Cancer with Mari Monsalve
    Aug 4 2025
    Hear about living in Escobar-Era Medellin, Surviving Cancer & Leaving an Abusive Relationship to Solo-Travel the World. _____________________________ Subscribe to The Maverick Show’s Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.). Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________ Mari Monsalve starts off talking about her involvement with two empowering travel events: The WITS Travel Creator Summit and Latino Travel Fest. She then reflects on her grandparents experience immigrating to Florida in the 1960s during Jim Crow segregation. Mari tells the story of growing up in Miami and then moving back to Medellin during the Pablo Escobar era and what it was like to live there during that time. She then talks about moving back to the U.S. as an adult, developing her interest in world travel, and organizing a transformative trip to Iceland. Next, Mari opens up about leaving an abusive relationship to travel the world solo, being diagnosed with cancer, and choosing to use travel as a tool to recover from cancer. She shares stories at different points in her cancer journey from Paris, Morocco and Thailand. Finally, Mari reflects on her last trip to the Pacific coast of Colombia, shares some ethical considerations for visiting Colombia, and makes specific recommendations for how to respectfully immerse in her beautiful country. FULL SHOW NOTES INCLUDING DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED ARE AVAILABLE HERE. ____________________________________ See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ____________________________________ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Please Leave a Rating and Review. It really helps the show and I read each one personally. You Can Buy Me a Coffee. Espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)
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    56 mins
  • 347: Why Brazil and Japan Are Uniquely Amazing, Wine Tasting in Serbia, and Founding “Girl Takes Mundo” for Latina Solo Travelers with Chris Davila

    347: Why Brazil and Japan Are Uniquely Amazing, Wine Tasting in Serbia, and Founding “Girl Takes Mundo” for Latina Solo Travelers with Chris Davila
    Jul 28 2025
    Hear stories from Brazil, Japan, Serbia and get tips on budget travel, minimalist packing, and monetizing travel content. _____________________________ Subscribe to The Maverick Show’s Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.). Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________ In Part 2 of this interview Chris talks about building her remote freelance business and gives tips for spending time in the UK where she is currently based. Matt and Chris then talk about their experiences in Brazil and Japan and why those two countries are so uniquely special. Chris then talks about founding her blog “Girl Takes Mundo” for Latino solo travelers and shares some budget travel hacks, minimalist packing tips for women, and advice for monetizing your travel content. She then tells an unforgettable experience about wine tasting in Serbia, reflects on the impact traveling to 80 countries has had on her, and shares what travel means to her today. FULL SHOW NOTES INCLUDING DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED ARE AVAILABLE HERE. ____________________________________ See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See HowI Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ____________________________________ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Please Leave a Rating and Review. It really helps the show and I read each one personally. You Can Buy Me a Coffee. Espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)
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    57 mins
  • 346: Running with the Bulls 6 Times in Spain, Falling in Love in Colombia, and How to Experience Guatemala with Chris Davila

    346: Running with the Bulls 6 Times in Spain, Falling in Love in Colombia, and How to Experience Guatemala with Chris Davila
    Jul 21 2025
    Hear Latina-solo-travel stories from Guatemala, Sweden, Colombia, Easter Island, Bolivia, Madagascar, Spain and Vietnam. _____________________________ Subscribe to The Maverick Show’s ⁠Monday Minute Newsletter⁠ where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.). Follow The Maverick Show on ⁠Instagram⁠ ____________________________________ Chris Davila joins Matt for a virtual wine night and starts off reflecting on speaking at the Latino Travel Fest in Chicago. She then shares her parents immigration journey from Guatemala to the U.S. and how she navigated her Guatemalan and American identities while growing up in an immigrant home in Chicago. Chris then gives her tips for how to visit and experience Guatemala, reflects on her trips back to the homeland, and explains how her interest in world travel developed. She describes her professional career journey, explains why she took an 18 month sabbatical to travel the world, and tells the story of spending Summer Solstice in Sweden with Benny from Abba. Chris then takes us on her journey solo-camping on Easter Island, visiting the world’s largest salt-flats in Bolivia, and meeting her husband in Colombia. She also describes solo-traveling to Madagascar and how visiting local villages there changed her perception of what it takes to be happy. Chris also talks about her experience Running with the Bulls 6 times in Spain and training others how to do it. She then explains why she became a vegetarian in Vietnam, how she celebrated a 42-hour long birthday while traveling from Australia to LA, and reflects on the impact of her 18 month sabbatical. FULL SHOW NOTES INCLUDING DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED ARE AVAILABLE HERE. ____________________________________ See my ⁠Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads⁠ See my ⁠Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads⁠ See my ⁠7 Keys For Building A Remote Business⁠ (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my ⁠Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing⁠ so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the ⁠Travel Gear I Use and Recommend⁠ See ⁠How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast⁠ (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ____________________________________ ENJOYING THE SHOW? ⁠Please Leave a Rating and Review⁠. It really helps the show and I read each one personally. ⁠You Can Buy Me a Coffee.⁠ Espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)
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    56 mins
  • 345: From Colombia to Botswana: Life-changing Safaris, Immigrant Solidarity, and Co-Founding Africa Culture Journeys with Paula Gean

    345: From Colombia to Botswana: Life-changing Safaris, Immigrant Solidarity, and Co-Founding Africa Culture Journeys with Paula Gean
    Jul 14 2025
    Learn about the similarities between Colombian and Botswana culture, and how to take a life-changing camping safari. _____________________________ Subscribe to The Maverick Show’s Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.). Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________ Paula Gean joins Matt for a wine night and talks about her experience being born in Colombia amidst the cartel violence of the 1980s, immigrating to Chicago and living in poverty, and then growing up in East Texas and navigating her Colombian-American identity. She reflects on the complex experience of going back to Colombia at age 14, then talks about the origins of her lifelong activist journey and gives tips on how to stand in solidarity with immigrant communities in the U.S. today. Paula then explains how she learned about Botswana through her husband, describes her magical first trip to the country, and shares her journey learning about the history and making connections between Colombian and Botswana culture. She talks about co-founding Africa Culture Journeys with local Botswana people, and explains how she navigated the neocolonial dynamics in the African tourism space to build a sustainable company that empowers and benefits local people. Finally, Paula describes how you can experience a life-changing trip to Botswana with Africa Culture Journeys and get a special Maverick Show discount. FULL SHOW NOTES WITH DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING ARE AVAILABLE HERE. ____________________________________ See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ____________________________________ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Please Leave a Rating and Review. It really helps the show and I read each one personally. You Can Buy Me a Coffee. Espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)
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    49 mins
  • 344: Attending the Maha Kumbh Mela in India, Developing a Socially Conscious Travel Lens, and How to Become a Remote Freelance Writer with Lolly Spindler

    344: Attending the Maha Kumbh Mela in India, Developing a Socially Conscious Travel Lens, and How to Become a Remote Freelance Writer with Lolly Spindler
    Jul 7 2025
    Learn about the largest festival in human history that happens once every 144 years, and how to become a remote writer. _____________________________ Subscribe to The Maverick Show’s Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.). Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________ In Part 2 of this episode, Lolly Spindler talks about her personal growth and healing journey in Mexico City. She then describes her trip to India and Nepal, the incredible hospitality she experienced, and her experience attending the largest festival in human history, the Maha Kumbh Mela, which only happens once ever 144 years. Lolly then talks about getting certified in trauma-informed yoga so she can teach it to prisoners. Next, she takes us on her journey of how she developed her politics and her socially conscious travel lens. Lolly then gives tip for becoming a freelance writer and explains how she optimizes her productivity and designs her lifestyle. Finally, Lolly makes a number of free offers, including a special Pride Scholarship for people in the LGBTQIA+ community to take her writing course at no cost. FULL SHOW NOTES WITH DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED ARE AVAILABLE HERE. ____________________________________ See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ____________________________________ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Please Leave a Rating and Review. It really helps the show and I read each one personally. You Can Buy Me a Coffee. Espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)
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    52 mins