For 56 days, Max ran and walked 1,400 kilometers around Belgium to support refugees through the association BelRefugees. Each night, he was hosted by strangers who opened their homes, offering him meals, stories, and inspiration. Along the way, he discovered the hospitality and kindness of Belgians and the power of small acts of solidarity.
This episode is about movement, both physical and human. Max shares what inspired him to start, what he learned on the road, and how the people he met changed his perspective on Belgium, migration, and community.
👉 Learn more and support BelRefugees at https://www.belrefugees.be/en/
In this episode, we travel back to 2022, when Sarah spent several weeks volunteering in a wildlife sanctuary in Namibia. She shares what first sparked her desire to volunteer abroad, how she prepared for the trip, and what her day-to-day looked like among cheetahs, rhinos, and the vast desert landscape. We also talk about the human side of the experience: friendships, emotional highs and lows, and the ethical questions that often come with volunteering abroad.
From moments of awe to doubts about the role of tourists and volunteers, this conversation explores what it really means to want to “do good” far from home.
Wells Tad Jones has lived many lives — from pararescueman to actor, writer, and producer — but through it all, he has been searching for one thing: purpose. In this episode, he shares the wisdom his mother gave him at 15: ‘You have no business going anywhere until you handle where you are.’ That lesson shaped his resilience and became a guide as he trekked through the Middle East, built his own production company, and learned to adapt in moments of challenge and change.
Wells also reflects on his travels through Israel and Saudi Arabia in the early 2000s, connecting what he saw then to the conflicts of today. At the heart of his story is the question of how we each find where we are meant to serve — and how travel can reveal not just the world around us, but our place within it.
📖 Discover his book A Line in the Sand here: Audible Narration by Edoardo Ballerini
💡 Learn more about his new business here: Reflekta.ai
After 8 months of adventure in Asia, I came back to Belgium to start my first corporate job; and suddenly faced reverse culture shock, the transition from student life to adulthood, and the reality of office culture. In this episode, I reflect on the challenges of adapting without conforming, the fear of losing my freedom to travel, and the unexpected ways I still managed to explore Europe every weekend. I also dive into the contradictions of sustainability, from cheap flights to overpriced trains, and share what this year has taught me about balance, identity, and the life I truly want.
What does it mean to live abroad when your identity makes you stand out everywhere you go? In this episode, Emma shares her experience as a Black woman who lived two years in Vietnam. She opens up about daily interactions with locals, the line between curiosity and discrimination, and the surprising reality of the expat community. Together, we explore resilience, stereotypes, and what it means to find your place when you’re always visible.
What was supposed to be a simple errand, buying glasses while traveling in China, quickly turned into one of my most stressful travel adventures. From wandering through the world’s biggest glasses mall to sneaking onto a sold-out train with no ticket and no working phone, I had to improvise my way back home. In this episode, I share how a normal day spiraled into chaos, what it taught me about traveling, phones, and staying calm when things go wrong.
In this episode, I sit down with Yonas, who completed an incredible journey biking from Brussels all the way to Singapore. We barely scratched the surface of his adventure, but we covered the essentials: the general outline of his route, the technical side of such a trip, his choice of gear, and some of his most memorable interactions with locals along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just curious about life on the road, this conversation will make you want to pack your bags !
In today’s episode, I’m once again joined by my friend Sarah, and this time she’s sharing a wild and unexpected story from her time living in Malta. What started as a carefree night of camping with friends quickly turned into a nightmare when they were arrested for unknowingly setting up in a national park.Locked up for more than three days, with little information and mounting confusion, Sarah walks us through the stress, fear, and total helplessness of the experience. From miscommunication with authorities to the emotional rollercoaster behind bars, this story is as intense as it is unbelievable. Tune in for a raw and chaotic account of how a dream night under the stars turned into a jail cell in Malta.
In this episode, I’m back with my best friend Sarah to talk about the joys and chaos of international relationships. Sarah now lives in Mexico with her boyfriend, and his family, navigating daily life in a new language and culture. I share my own experience of a nearly two-year relationship with a German guy, full of linguistic mix-ups, cultural gaps, and long-distance calls.
We talk honestly about what it’s like to be with someone from a different world: the beauty of it, the loneliness, the misunderstandings, and the everyday challenges. From living with your partner’s parents in a foreign country to dealing with time zones and emotional distance, we cover it all.
We recorded outside, so you might hear a bit of background wind—but it’s worth sticking around for the conversation.
In this episode, I sit down with my friend Clément to talk about his experience volunteering in Cambodia, where he spent several months teaching English to kids among other missions. What started as a dream of helping and discovering a new culture turned out to be more complex than expected.
We dive into the daily realities of the experience, language barriers, lack of training, cultural differences, and also reflect on the bigger picture: What does it mean to “help”? Who really benefits from these volunteer programs? And where’s the line between good intentions and white saviorism?
It’s an honest, open conversation about the ethics of voluntourism and what we’ve both learned about responsible travel and development work.
In this episode, I’m joined by my oldest friend, Sarah, to look back on our very first trip together: London, summer, and total chaos. I was 16, we had no money, and we were staying with a total stranger. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was unforgettable.
We talk about what it was like to finally achieve our dream of traveling, no matter the conditions, and all the unexpected lessons we picked up along the way. It was hard, messy, and a little scary at times; but it was also formative, eye-opening, and kind of magical in its own way.
If you've ever been young and broke abroad (or dreamed of it), this one’s for you.
What happens when you grow up Cambodian but schooled in French culture, and then land in Paris as a student? In this episode, Alice shares her story of growing up in Phnom Penh, attending the French high school there, and eventually making the leap to university life in France. We talk about culture shock, identity, and how she balances the influences of two very different worlds.
From the familiar streets of Phnom Penh to the sprawling cityscape of Paris, Alice reflects on what she’s gained, what she’s left behind, and how her sense of self continues to evolve.
In this episode, I sit down with Daniel to talk about his move from Mexico to Germany during COVID, and his current life in Belgium. We dive into the differences between cultures, how it feels to be far from home, the role of language, and how food and family help maintain a connection to one’s roots. This episode is full of insight, humor, and honest reflections on what it means to grow into your identity far from where you started.
You can find Daniel's podcast, Habitos Eco here : https://linktr.ee/habitoseco
What happens when you no longer feel at home anywhere ? Or when every place starts to feel a little bit like home... and yet not quite enough ?
In this episode, I dive into the emotional complexity of living a transient life, the freedom, the disorientation, the beauty, and the loneliness. I explore psychological concepts and reflect on my own experience of moving constantly, never fully unpacking, and wondering where I truly belong. Whether you are a long-term traveler, an expat, or just someone feeling unrooted, this episode is for you.
In this episode, I look back on the year I spent studying abroad in Finland at just 19. From the magic of northern lights to the quiet realities of solitude and cultural shock, I share what it really felt like to leave everything behind and start fresh up north. It’s a story of growing up, finding unexpected friendships, and learning that not every dream goes as planned—but that’s part of the beauty.
In this episode, I chat with Clément about the year he spent in Taiwan as a high school exchange student. From navigating life with a host family to adapting to a new school system and building friendships across cultures, he shares what it was like to call Taiwan home for a year. We also talk about his recent return trip—reuniting with old friends and reflecting on how the experience shaped him. A story about culture, connection, and coming full circle.
Dans cette seconde partie, Léo aborde la question de la recherche de sa famille biologique et partage son point de vue sur l’adoption en général. Nous parlons des choix qu’il a faits, de ce qu’il aurait aimé savoir plus tôt, et des questions encore ouvertes sur son histoire. Il nous livre également sa réflexion sur le système d’adoption et partage ses conseils pour les parents adoptifs. Un échange profond sur les liens, la transmission et l’identité.
----------In this second part, Léo opens up about searching for his biological family and shares his thoughts on adoption in general. We talk about the choices he made, what he wishes he had known earlier, and the unanswered questions about his story. He also reflects on the adoption system and offers advice for adoptive parents. A deep discussion about family, identity, and self-discovery.
Dans cette première partie, Léo partage son expérience d’adoption et la manière dont il a construit son identité entre la France et la Colombie. Nous discutons de son rapport à ses origines, de la place qu’occupent ses racines dans sa vie, et de son premier voyage en Colombie. Il évoque aussi les différences ressenties avec sa famille adoptive et le regard des autres sur son histoire. Une conversation intime et sincère sur l’identité et l’appartenance.
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In this first part, Léo shares his adoption journey and how he built his identity between France and Colombia. We discuss his connection to his origins, the role his roots play in his life, and his first trip back to Colombia. He also talks about the differences he felt within his adoptive family and how others perceive his story. A personal and meaningful conversation about identity and belonging.
In this second part of my conversation with Emma, we explore what she loved most about the country—from its vibrant culture to the simple moments that made this experience special. She also opens up about how the experience changed her, helping her embrace solitude and enjoy her own company more. Join us for a thoughtful discussion on travel, self-discovery, and the unexpected ways a new place can shape you.
Today is a special episode because, for the first time, I have a guest with me: Emma! She spenttwo years living in Vietnam, and in this first part of our conversation, we dive into what led her there and how she experienced the move.
Emma shares why she chose Vietnam for her double degree, what it was like stepping into Asia for the first time, and the culture shocks she faced upon arrival. We also talk about adjusting to university life, making friends (both local and international), and navigating the challenges of being far from family.
Join us as Emma takes us through the ups, downs, and unexpected moments of moving across the world. 🌏