Black Tie Galas in Ghana, Living in Rural Zambia, 20 Trips to Qatar, and Running The Nomadic Network with Erica Hackman (Ep 236)

Learn how foreign aid and voluntourism can reproduce unequal power dynamics and how travelers can think more critically. ============================ Get the Monday Minute my weekly email with 3 personal recs for travel, culture, and living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds. ============================ ON THIS EPISODE Erica Hackman takes us on her journey growing up in the U.S, studying abroad in Doha, Qatar, and subsequently returning 20 times to see friends.  She also shares her experience teaching English in Cambodia, rural Thailand, and Busan, Korea.  Erica then talks about her experience living in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, traveling in Tunisia, and then living in rural Zambia and working with a non-profit organization there.  She opens up about her personal journey and reflections on the power dynamics and moral complexities surrounding international aid, voluntourism, and the white savior complex. Erica then talks about marrying her Ghanaian husband, raising their son between Ghana and the U.S., and she gives tips on traveling internationally with very young kids.  She then talks about her professional trajectory of meeting New York Times bestselling author “Nomadic Matt” Kepnes, getting hired by him to run The Nomadic Network (TNN). Erica explains what makes the TNN tours unique and special and shares some of the upcoming TNN itineraries.  Finally, she shares a story about how she personally may be responsible for the Priority Pass airport lounge guest limit, and then reflects on what travel means to her.  → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FIND YOUR NEXT EPISODE Explore The Maverick Show Starter Packs — some of my favorite conversations curated by theme so you can easily find the episodes that match your interests. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU See my Top 10 Travel Apps See my Top 10 Books that Shaped the Way I Travel 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? Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram and DM Matt to continue the conversation Please leave a rating and review — it really helps the show and I read each one personally Support the show by buying me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes!