<![CDATA[Borders Optional]]>Borders Optional. We have honest, relaxed conversations with digital nomads, expats, remote workers, and travelers who have built lives outside their home countries, or are in the process of doing so.

Each episode dives into the real side of living abroad: the wins, the challenges, the culture shock, the money, the logistics, and the personal growth that comes with choosing a different path.

Whether you’re already living abroad or just starting to explore the idea, Borders Optional is here to show you that there’s no single “right” way to live — and that borders are optional.


]]>https://riverside.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Sun, 05 Jul 2026 18:01:39 GMTMon, 12 Jan 2026 13:43:16 GMT60Elizabeth<p>Borders Optional. We have honest, relaxed conversations with digital nomads, expats, remote workers, and travelers who have built lives outside their home countries, or are in the process of doing so.</p><p>Each episode dives into the real side of living abroad: the wins, the challenges, the culture shock, the money, the logistics, and the personal growth that comes with choosing a different path.</p><p>Whether you’re already living abroad or just starting to explore the idea, Borders Optional is here to show you that there’s no single “right” way to live — and that borders are optional.</p><p><br /></p>episodicElizabethe.straub08@gmail.comno<![CDATA[Borders Optional - Martha (Pooja)]]>The conversation covers a range of topics related to travel, living abroad, and cultural experiences. It delves into the challenges of teaching speech therapy, the impact of cultural shock, visa and travel documentation, personal growth, and future travel plans. Additionally, it provides advice for moving to Argentina and shares travel mistakes and advice for other expats.

Takeaways

  • Cultural Shock
  • Traveling Challenges

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction and Background
  • 08:27 Traveling and Living Abroad
  • 15:35 Cultural Experiences and Observations
  • 23:19 Personal Growth and Confidence
  • 32:35 Travel Mistakes and Advice
]]>144eab4e-7fcd-4403-a4fd-93fbf44ba7e0Sat, 20 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT<p>The conversation covers a range of topics related to travel, living abroad, and cultural experiences. It delves into the challenges of teaching speech therapy, the impact of cultural shock, visa and travel documentation, personal growth, and future travel plans. Additionally, it provides advice for moving to Argentina and shares travel mistakes and advice for other expats.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Cultural Shock</li><li>Traveling Challenges</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction and Background</li><li>08:27 Traveling and Living Abroad</li><li>15:35 Cultural Experiences and Observations</li><li>23:19 Personal Growth and Confidence</li><li>32:35 Travel Mistakes and Advice</li></ul>no00:35:5614Borders Optional - Martha (Pooja)full<![CDATA[Borders Optional - Lena]]>The conversation covers Lena's transition to a digital nomad lifestyle, her pursuit of cultural experiences, financial literacy, and real estate investment. It also delves into her side hustles, investment journey, and cultural shocks experienced during her travels. Lena's exploration of remote work, financial literacy, and investment, as well as her encounters with diverse cultures and hospitality, are the key themes of the conversation. The conversation delves into the power of connection and recognition, the impact of cultural experiences on identity, exploring unfamiliar foods and cultural differences, language learning and cultural respect, the challenges of making friends abroad, and the personal growth and identity abroad.

Takeaways

  • Remote work enables travel
  • Financial literacy and investment
  • Cultural experiences and hospitality Connection
  • Cultural experiences

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction and Remote Work
  • 05:53 Chasing the Sun and Travel Experiences
  • 14:59 Financial Literacy and Real Estate Investment
  • 20:03 Real Estate Ventures and Cultural Experiences
  • 24:58 Side Hustles and Investment Journey
  • 29:58 Cultural Shocks and Hospitality
  • 36:11 Exploring Unfamiliar Foods and Cultural Differences
  • 44:32 Challenges of Making Friends Abroad
  • 53:34 Personal Growth and Identity Abroad
]]>0dd5a654-41ef-492d-973e-176123278a89Mon, 20 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT<p>The conversation covers Lena's transition to a digital nomad lifestyle, her pursuit of cultural experiences, financial literacy, and real estate investment. It also delves into her side hustles, investment journey, and cultural shocks experienced during her travels. Lena's exploration of remote work, financial literacy, and investment, as well as her encounters with diverse cultures and hospitality, are the key themes of the conversation. The conversation delves into the power of connection and recognition, the impact of cultural experiences on identity, exploring unfamiliar foods and cultural differences, language learning and cultural respect, the challenges of making friends abroad, and the personal growth and identity abroad.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Remote work enables travel</li><li>Financial literacy and investment</li><li>Cultural experiences and hospitality Connection</li><li>Cultural experiences</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction and Remote Work</li><li>05:53 Chasing the Sun and Travel Experiences</li><li>14:59 Financial Literacy and Real Estate Investment</li><li>20:03 Real Estate Ventures and Cultural Experiences</li><li>24:58 Side Hustles and Investment Journey</li><li>29:58 Cultural Shocks and Hospitality</li><li>36:11 Exploring Unfamiliar Foods and Cultural Differences</li><li>44:32 Challenges of Making Friends Abroad</li><li>53:34 Personal Growth and Identity Abroad</li></ul>no01:02:0713Borders Optional - Lenafull<![CDATA[Borders Optional - Devin]]>Devin discusses the challenges and confidence gained through solo travel, as well as the sense of authenticity experienced in new places.

Takeaways

  • Confidence through solo travel
  • Authenticity in new places

]]>a9524233-b5ac-4e59-9354-7b5fd74082bbFri, 20 Mar 2026 23:00:00 GMT<p>Devin discusses the challenges and confidence gained through solo travel, as well as the sense of authenticity experienced in new places.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Confidence through solo travel</li><li>Authenticity in new places</li></ul><p></p><p></p>no00:49:0312Borders Optional - Devinfull<![CDATA[Borders Optional - Andrew]]>The conversation covers the journey of transitioning from corporate law to entrepreneurship, exploring multiple ventures, focusing on legal work and dispute resolution, digital nomad lifestyle and citizenship, moving abroad and consulting work, the visa process and public transportation, starting an online business, overcoming fear and taking risks, and social media and street interviews.

Takeaways

  • Digital Nomad Lifestyle
  • Remote Work Opportunities

Chapters

  • 00:00 Transition from Corporate Law to Entrepreneurship
  • 06:01 Moving Abroad and Consulting Work
  • 44:09 Social Media and Street Interviews
]]>da1d7392-2658-44f4-a8c4-c7ff3fe3cd90Sat, 21 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT<p>The conversation covers the journey of transitioning from corporate law to entrepreneurship, exploring multiple ventures, focusing on legal work and dispute resolution, digital nomad lifestyle and citizenship, moving abroad and consulting work, the visa process and public transportation, starting an online business, overcoming fear and taking risks, and social media and street interviews.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Digital Nomad Lifestyle</li><li>Remote Work Opportunities</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Transition from Corporate Law to Entrepreneurship</li><li>06:01 Moving Abroad and Consulting Work</li><li>44:09 Social Media and Street Interviews</li></ul>no00:42:5811Borders Optional - Andrewfull