The SAFAROTO Podcast

🎙️ In this episode of the SAFAROTO podcast, I reconnect with Howard, a friend I first met in Seattle back in 2005 through BEAN, a community organization he founded. Howard has transformed his life from a classic suburban American lifestyle to traveling the world full-time with his wife and two children - while being a CEO of a technology company.We dive deep into the family digital nomad lifestyle as Howard shares his journey from Seattle to their current nomadic adventures. Topics include:✅ How COVID unexpectedly became the catalyst for their nomadic journey✅ Finding the perfect timing to travel with children before they reach their teenage years✅ Balancing remote work, online schooling, and family adventures✅ The evolution from fast-paced travel to slow, immersive experiences✅ How children experience and process life on the road✅ Managing relationships with friends and family while traveling✅ The surprising financial benefits of nomadic living compared to metropolitan life✅ Creating structure and routine while maintaining flexibility for spontaneous experiences✅ Building a truly remote-first work culture and the future of distributed teams✅ Practical advice for families considering the digital nomad lifestyleHoward offers a refreshingly honest perspective on both the challenges and rewards of traveling full-time with family—from dealing with illness on the road to the joy of watching his children develop unique worldviews. He shares how living with less has transformed their relationship with consumerism and how quality family time has become their most valuable asset.🎧 Whether you're dreaming of taking your family on the road or simply curious about alternative lifestyles, this conversation delivers practical insights, thoughtful reflections, and inspiration for reimagining what family life can look like.📌 Timestamps:(0:00) Episode Highlights(1:32) Introduction and Context (4:38) Origins of Bean and Community Building(7:31) From Stationary Life to Digital Nomad(13:34) Planning and Structure in Nomadic Life(20:55) Children's Experience of World Travel(26:53) Building Meaningful Connections While Traveling(34:05) Evolution from Fast to Slow Travel & Digital Nomad Life(54:57) Marriage and Partnership on the Road(59:18) Maintaining Friendships and Extended Family Relationships(1:08:29) Remote Work Culture and Management(1:24:06) Financial Realities of Nomadic Living(1:33:15) Advice for Aspiring Nomads and Closing Thoughts

🎙️ In this episode of the SAFAROTO podcast, I sit down with my longtime friend and regular travel companion, Rachel, who has been traveling full-time as a digital nomad for over three years.We dive into her journey of transitioning from life in Seattle to a remote work lifestyle, discussing the challenges, rewards, and practical aspects of being a digital nomad. Topics include:✅ Making the shift to a nomadic lifestyle✅ Managing budgets and affording long-term travel✅ Remote work, time zone management, and work-life balance✅ Planning itineraries and choosing destinations✅ Packing light and living out of a suitcase✅ Dating, relationships, and building community on the road✅ Staying healthy and keeping in touch with family and friends✅ Safety concerns and navigating the world as a solo female traveler and woman of color✅ The impact of digital nomads on local communities✅ Travel accessibility for those with mobility limitations✅ How travel has changed her and her future plansRachel shares invaluable insights, practical advice, and personal stories that will inspire and guide anyone considering—or already embracing—the digital nomad lifestyle.🎧 Tune in now for a conversation full of tips, lessons, and inspiration!📌 Timestamps:(0:00) Highlights(1:38) Introduction(3:26) Transition to a digital nomad lifestyle(11:00) Hardest Moments while traveling(15:38) Travel Budget as a digital nomad(21:44) Remote work(28:01) Destination and itinerary Planning(34:31) Work-life balance as a digital nomad(39:33) Challenges of packing and living out of a suitcase(44:44) Dating as a digital nomad(51:24) Staying Healthy(54:35) Safety best practices while traveling(1:01:22) Building relationships and advice on meeting people as a digital nomad(1:10:58) Traveling as a woman of color(1:16:10) Impact of travelers on local communities(1:21:24) Travel with people with mobility limitations (1:26:43) Picking the right cities when traveling(1:31:51) How digital nomad life has changed her(1:38:41) How much longer she expects to continue living as a digital nomad(1:44:37) Closing remarks and final tips

🎙️ In this episode of the SAFAROTO podcast, I sit down with my good friend Emiliano, who has been traveling full-time for the past three years while working remotely as a software engineer. We dive deep into the digital nomad lifestyle—how he got started, the challenges he faced, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.We cover everything from choosing destinations and managing a travel budget to balancing work on the road and navigating visas. Emiliano shares insights on traveling solo vs. as a couple, the hardest and most rewarding travel moments, and even offers practical advice for landing a remote job and embracing the digital nomad lifestyle.We also touch on housesitting as a way to travel affordably, the importance of family in a nomadic life, and his latest project, The LoveRitual.com.If you’ve ever dreamed of taking your work on the road or just want to hear incredible travel stories, this episode is for you!Tune in for a conversation filled with travel wisdom, remote work hacks, and inspiration for your next adventure! 🌍✨📌 Timestamps:(0:00) Introduction (2:27) Embarking on a Journey to Travel the World(8:49) Deciding on Destinations & Duration(15:09) Balancing Travel & Work as a Digital Nomad(19:07) Travel Budget(24:01) Reflecting Back: Advice to Self Before Traveling(26:14) Hardest Travel Moments(30:18) Favorite Travel Moments(37:39) Traveling solo vs traveling as a couple(46:32) Potential Duration of the Digital Nomad Phase(53:19) The Importance of Family & Traveling with Them(56:41) Experience & Advice for Housesitting While Traveling(1:06:05) Getting a Remote Job Advice(1:14:18) Becoming a Digital Nomad Advice(1:26:29) Visas: Working Holiday Visas, Digital Nomad Visas…(1:33:58) Traveling Solo as a Woman(1:39:03) The SAFAROTO Community(1:43:15) The LoveRitual.com Project(1:47:14) Closing

🎙️ In this episode of the SAFAROTO podcast, I sit down with my good friend Marcelina, who is taking a bold leap—quitting her job this week to allow for more time for world travel. Many wrestle with the uncertainty and fear of making such a decision, and we dive deep into that journey with her. Marcelina shares her background, her immigration story to Australia, and her past travel experiences, including her adventures as a solo female traveler and her hitchhiking stories. We also discuss the realities of the travel lifestyle—how much it actually costs and what it takes to sustain it.Plus, we get into some epic travel experiences: riding a motorcycle through the Himalayas in North India, going on safari in Kenya, climbing Kilimanjaro, and exploring the stunning island of Zanzibar.Tune in for an inspiring and adventure-filled conversation!📌 Timestamps:(0:00)  Episode Intro(3:01)  Immigration Story from Poland to Australia(27:57)  Quitting Your Job to Allow for More World Travel(1:22:55)  Solo Travel as a Woman and Past Travel Experiences(1:37:15) Motorcycle Trip Advice in the North of India (Ladakh & Kashmir)(1:59:23)  Travel Advice for East Africa (Kenya & Tanzania)(2:01:47) Advice for Doing a Safari in Kenya on a Budget(2:13:16) Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Details and Advice(2:25:50) Advice for Visiting Zanzibar & Mafia Island (Tanzania)(2:33:49) Episode Wrap Up & Closing Thoughts 

In this episode of the SAFAROTO podcast, I sit down with Pavel during our time in Colombia in December 2024. Pavel, a digital nomad from Australia, has spent the last three years traveling the world while successfully managing his remote business. He shares his most memorable highs and toughest challenges, offering insights into how he plans his itineraries and funds his adventures. Pavel also recounts fascinating stories from his travels, discusses the intricacies of dating and forming friendships on the road, and provides practical advice for anyone considering the digital nomad lifestyle. Tune in for inspiration, tips, and a glimpse into the life of a modern globetrotter!

This episode of the SAFAROTO podcast was recorded when I visited my dear friend Souhail in Kashmir in the North of India during the month of July. We discussed many topics including life in Kashmir, his upbringing, his Suffi beliefs, his personal struggles as well as a couple of incidents which happened during my visit involving the police, the military and a visit to the public hospital.

In this episode of the SAFAROTO podcast, I sit down with my friend Mishka with whom I have spent almost half of the year 2022 with in 6 different countries. During our conversation we reflect back on her year of travel and her favorite memories and moments.

In this episode of the SAFAROTO podcast, I will share with you a couple of travel stories highlighting the essence of the magic of travel: connecting with amazing human beings. I will tell you about how I ended up meeting and spending time with the families of my friend Amina in Azerbaijan and my friend Hatibu in Tanzania.

In this episode of the SAFAROTO podcast, I will share with you my life story covering some of the key defining chapters and transition points of my life which helped define who I am today. You will get to hear how I ended up adopting my current travel lifestyle exploring the world full time for almost 6 years and what I am focused on for the next chapter including why I am so excited about this travel podcast.

After almost 6 years of full-time world travel in over 50 countries, your host Oto is inviting you to join him on his voyage around the world in the SAFAROTO podcast. Through this travel podcast, you will listen in to conversations with interesting people from around the world and hear about their life stories, exploring our commonalities and learning from our differences. The SAFAROTO podcast also aims to demystify Oto’s travel lifestyle - a journey of curiosity, discovery and self improvement anchored on 4 key pillars: health, connection, happiness and purpose. These are topics to be explored in deep-dive episodes as well as discussions with friends and guests. Get informed, educated and inspired you to lead a life full of travel, curiosity and discovery beyond collecting passport stamps.