64 | What 190 Countries Teach You About a Location-Independent Life

Ric Gazarian has visited 190 of the world's 193 UN countries, built a location-independent life around travel, and made Bangkok his base for more than a decade.

In this episode, Palle Bo and Alexandra talk with Ric about the turning points that moved him away from traditional corporate life, whether he actually considers himself a digital nomad, and how extreme travelers differ from nomads who prefer to stay longer in each destination.

Ric also shares what he has learned from interviewing around 150 highly traveled people on his podcast, Counting Countries, why community matters so much for people who are constantly moving, and how that eventually led him to create the Extraordinary Travel Festival.

Key Takeaways

• Location independence can take many different forms.
• Ric funds most of his travels through US real estate investing.
• Extreme travelers often value breadth, while digital nomads may prioritize deeper connections with fewer places.
• Visiting every country can lead to surprising experiences in destinations you might otherwise overlook.
• Highly mobile people still have a strong need for community and real-world connections.

Relevant Links

• Ric Gazarian – Global Gaz: https://globalgaz.com
• Counting Countries: https://globalgaz.com/counting-countries/
• Extraordinary Travel Festival: https://extraordinarytravelfest.com
• Palle's previous interview with Ric on The Radio Vagabond: https://www.theradiovagabond.com/369-etf/
• Jaime Alemán: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaime_Alemán
• Nomad Summit: https://nomadsummit.com
• Episode produced by RadioGuru: https://radioguru.co.uk