What does it really mean to live as a digital nomad today? For Episode 10 of The Nomad Summit Podcast, we recorded a spontaneous conversation around a lunch table in Bansko – just moments after a powerful panel with four researchers – including Aldijana Bunjak and Viktoriya Voloshyna – on global mobility, visas, and the personal realities of remote living. In that sense episode 10 is a direct sequel to episode 09 where we talk about the Science of Nomad Life – Identity, Freedom, and the Data Behind It with Aldijana and Viktoriya.
This roundtable features three guests from very different backgrounds, each offering their unique perspective on what it means to build a life without borders – and the emotional trade-offs that often come with it.
Jojo, Mariam, Christoph and Milda (left to right)
The Invisible Barrier: Life with a Weak Passport
For many digital nomads from the Global North, mobility is a given. But for others, every trip comes with uncertainty, paperwork, and financial risk. Mariam, who holds an Armenian passport, shares how frequently she’s been denied visas – even with all the right documents in place.
Her story highlights the imbalance in freedom of movement between countries. While some nomads can hop between countries with little planning, others must apply months in advance and still face rejection without explanation.
Questioning the Lifestyle: Am I Really a Nomad?
Milda, from Lithuania, opens up about her transition from a long-term relationship and a settled life to full-time travel. But after diving into the nomad world, she’s now facing a different kind of question: is the constant movement really sustainable?
She reflects on the loneliness that can creep in, the longing for community, and the idea that digital nomadism isn’t always a forever choice. “Maybe I’m not a digital nomad,” she says. “Maybe I’m a ‘workationer’ – someone who wants a home base and a few months of travel each year. And that’s okay.”
Building Emotional Fluency Across Cultures
Jojo, a photographer and videographer from Taiwan, discusses how his experience in the U.S. shifted his understanding of social interaction. In Taiwanese culture, physical contact like hugging isn’t common – and directness can be seen as rude. Joining the digital nomad community introduced him to a new style of communication that felt more open and supportive.
Now, he’s actively working to bring that openness into a budding nomad community back home. His story is a reminder that digital nomadism isn’t just about where you go – it’s also about how you grow.
World Schooling, Kids, and the Question of Commitment
The conversation also explores whether it’s possible to raise children while living a nomadic life. Christoph shares examples of families who have successfully raised kids on the road, using methods like world schooling and enrolling them in public schools around the globe.
Mariam adds her thoughts on how traditional education systems often lack real-world relevance – and how childhood experiences can be both formative and fragile. The group discusses how parenting, like tattoos, represents one of life’s irreversible choices – and how that intersects with the freedom-driven identity many nomads value.
Freedom vs. Belonging: Finding the Balance
At the core of this episode is the tension between freedom and community. Each guest shares stories of feeling “too settled” or “not settled enough,” caught between societal expectations and a desire to live life on their own terms.
Whether it’s redefining success, questioning long-term commitment, or navigating culture shock, this episode is a candid look at the emotional landscape of modern nomadism.
Key Topics Covered in This Episode
- Visa struggles and passport privilege
- Parenting and world schooling as a nomad
- Cultural communication and connection
- Identity and redefining what it means to be a nomad
- The emotional cost of endless freedom
Listen to the Full Episode
This is one of the most honest and thought-provoking conversations we’ve had so far – and it wasn’t even planned. Whether you’re a full-time nomad, just getting started, or re-evaluating your lifestyle, this episode is for you.
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