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/