What No One Tells You About Backpacking Iraq

Ayyyy welcome back to your fave travel podcast. Thanks for tuning in and getting yourself ready to make some MOVES with me. Let's get it!In Season 3 Episode 9, I am joined by Don aka the "Bearded Backpacker." Don is a solo traveler, content creator, and storyteller with a passion for exploring some of the world’s most remote and overlooked regions. As the first in his family to travel the world, he has backpacked through countries like Cuba, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Poland, embracing each destination's unique history, culture, and traditions. Through his journey, Don aims to inspire curiosity, educate others about places often misunderstood, and bridge cultural gaps by sharing authentic stories from the people he meets along the way. Born and raised in a small Louisiana town, Don moved to Houston, Texas, where he currently works full-time. Yet, his heart is always planning the next adventure, driven by an insatiable curiosity and a commitment to understanding the world beyond headlines and stereotypes.For Don, travel is about more than just seeing the world; it’s about amplifying unheard voices, challenging misconceptions, and highlighting the beauty of diverse perspectives. He believes that every person has a story worth telling and is dedicated to using his platform to ensure those stories are heard. By sharing his experiences, Don hopes to inspire others—especially those who have never thought it possible—to explore beyond their comfort zones. Traveling solo has taught him resilience, adaptability, and the power of human connection, no matter the language or borders that separate us. While he may be the first in his family to venture this far, his goal is to pave the way so that he won’t be the last. In today's episode, we chat about Don's backpacking adventures through Iraq- one of the world's most misunderstood countries. Tune in today!To follow Don's moves on social media:InstagramYouTubeTik-TokBlogFollow the Makin Moves with Matt Podcast on Social Media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with your Host on Social MediaMatt:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Makin Moves with Matt:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Makin Moves with Matt: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠