Business & Pleasure

Happy belated New Year!  After a bit of rest, relaxation and a minor freak out that is always brought on by a new year starting, The Business and Pleasure podcast is back! And, we're back with a bang. In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with AJ, a digital nomad who runs a popular YouTube channel where he candidly discusses the highs and lows of remote work and documents his nomadic adventures. Not only that, AJ is also a talented copywriter. I was really excited to chat with AJ as I’ve been following him for a while now. We both love travel and we both love a Greggs sausage roll, it was always going to be a match made in heaven.  What was intended to be a brief 30-minute conversation turned into an 1.5-hour discussion. AJ and I delved into what sparked his interest in travel, the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone, and the value of finding comfort amidst uncertainty. So, grab yourself a coffee, put your feet up and enjoy!    What we cover • An introduction to AJ • Why travel? • Being a digital nomad is achievable  • Everything fell into place  • Learning the lessons  • The highs and the lows of being a digital nomad • You don't always have to be out of your comfort zone when travelling • Why YouTube? • Why boundaries are key • What's next for AJ Follow AJ's journey • AJ's Twitter - https://twitter.com/ajthenomad_ • AJ's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ajthenomad  To hear more from me, follow the below • Twitter - https://twitter.com/_indieva • Indie va - https://indieva.xyz/ • Business & Pleasure - https://businessandpleasure.transistor.fm/ p.s - I hope everyone is having a great start to the New Year! x

We have a bit of a different episode. Normally, I talk to people who are already digital nomads. But in this episode, I speak to Connor. Connor is an aspiring digital nomad. He currently helps ecomm brands build their communities on the internet whilst adding a whole bunch of value. He's hoping to start his digital nomad journey next year and explore the world. We really get into it in this episode. We talk all about the pressures of working for yourself, popping your bubble and telling the parents...   What we cover • An introduction to Connor • Why the digital nomad lifestyle has caught Connor's attention • Expectations for an aspiring digital nomad • Stepping out of your comfort zone • Approaching big changes in life • Telling the parents • Making friends as a digital nomad • Approaching work & travel • What's next for Connor Follow Connor's journey • Connor's Twitter - https://twitter.com/TheConnorFlynn8 • World Packers - https://www.worldpackers.com/ To hear more from me, follow the below • Twitter - https://twitter.com/_indieva • Indie va - https://indieva.xyz/ • Business & Pleasure - https://businessandpleasure.transistor.fm/

For this episode, I sat down with my good friend Leon Cheung. I met Leon in Florianopolis, Brazil. We very quickly bonded over being digital nomads, our obsession for the sun and our love for good food, it was a match made in heaven. Leon is relatively new to the digital nomad life. After graduating from University in Scotland, he took a leap of faith and started travelling. He found a remote job whilst on the road and has never looked back. Leon is now a Corporate Operations Coordinator at Modulex Group. Leon has a really interesting perspective to the digital nomad lifestyle and I really enjoyed getting deep with him. We chat why routine should be your ride or die, real thoughts on the Amazon and what's next for Leon. He's also got me to create my own vision board off the back of this conversation, so make sure you give it a listen.   What we cover • An introduction to Leon • Taking that leap of faith and why it worked • Was becoming a digital nomad always the aim? • ROUTINE IS KEY • Being remote and working for a company • Why you should visit Rio de Janeiro • Thoughts on the Amazon • Slow vs fast travel • Living your vision • What's next for Leon • Can you have a balance of Business & Pleasure? Follow Leon’s journey • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_leoncheung/ To hear more from me, follow the below • Twitter - https://twitter.com/_indieva • Indie va - https://indieva.xyz/ • Business & Pleasure - https://businessandpleasure.transistor.fm/

For this episode, I sat down with Chris Whittaker. Chris is an outdoor industry expert and is the Founder of Global Shenanigans. Global Shenanigans helps you lead a more adventurous and fulfilling life, through experiential adventure travel. Chris is also a surf and kayak instructor, he's a real life explorer! He's got some insane stories that we get into.  We talk all about best experiences, what's next for Global Shenanigans and why you should do exactly what you want.   What we cover • An introduction to Chris • It all started with a gap year • Why Chris loves his job • How Global Shenanigans got started • Doing exactly what you want  • What are the things that keep you going?  • Sharing experiences  • Picking the next location  • Problem solving  • What's next for Chris • Can you have a balance of Business & Pleasure? Follow Chris’ journey • Global Shenanigans - https://global-shenanigans.com/ • Global Shenanigans Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/global_shenanigans • Chris' Twitter - https://twitter.com/G_Shenanigans_  To hear more from me, follow the below • Twitter - https://twitter.com/_indieva • Indie va - https://indieva.xyz/ • Business & Pleasure - https://businessandpleasure.transistor.fm/

For the tenth episode of Business & Pleasure, I sat down with Chris Cerra. Chris Cerra is the Founder of Remotebase, a monthly newsletter that shares brilliant accommodation deals with digital nomads and remote workers. In our conversation, Chris shares the highs and the lows from his digital nomad journey so far, how RemoteBase got started and why it’s important to choose yourself.    We also chat all about what it’s like to navigate working within a team when you’re a DN, slow and steady vs leap of faith travel and why you can’t be responsible for someone else’s level of communication. Chris has an incredibly realistic and positive outlook on the experience of being a digital nomad. Go give it a listen.  What we cover • An introduction to Chris  • Testing the water  • Knowing what’s right for you  • Communicating with a team  • Why RemoteBase was created  • How the approach to travel has changed over time  • The good & the bad • The best part of being a digital nomad  • Advice for a budding digital nomad  • Can you have a balance of Business & Pleasure? • Next steps for Chris and RemoteBase  Follow Chris’ journey • Follow Chris on IG - https://instagram.com/nomadaccommodationguy • Follow Chris on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriscerra/ • Subscribe to RemoteBase - https://remotebase.co/subscribe?ref=lydia • Get RemoteBase Premium Alerts - https://remotebase.co/upgrade?offer_id=db406239-855a-447b-95a8-ba8e07c12747 • Follow RemoteBase on IG - https://instagram.com/remotebase To hear more from me, follow the below • Twitter - https://twitter.com/_indieva • Indie va - https://indieva.xyz/ • Business & Pleasure - https://businessandpleasure.transistor.fm/

Marc is a travel pro, so I had to get him on the podcast. He's an author and travel writer who is based in New Zealand. He's traveled the world and has learnt some really important things along the way. In today's episode we talk about why he decided to write a memoir documenting his travels, why he wants to inspire more people to get out and see the world and why you should be curious! I really enjoyed my chat with Marc, we covered A LOT. If you love travel, this one's for you.  What we cover • An introduction to Marc • Moving to the UK at 19 • Where the love for travel began  • Why travel? • Discovering what's out there • Creating your own opinion and sharing experiences • Why no one cares about your travels • The good & the bad • What’s next? • Can you have it all? Follow Marc's journey • Twitter • Life Went That Way • Marc's memoir - Twenty To hear more from us, follow us below • Twitter • Website • Business & Pleasure

Dominik is an indie hacker, digital nomad, founder and creator of Help Kit HQ. He's been traveling the world as well as working for the last three years. We discussed what the last three years have looked like for Dominik, how he approaches work and travel and why you should be considering the digital nomad lifestyle. We also cover finding your joy, travelling light and what it's like dating as a digital nomad. This is a juicy one, don’t miss out! What we cover • An introduction to Dominik • Navigating the change in lifestyle • Travel light • Routine is key • Keep what sparks joy • The ups and the downs • Dating as a digital nomad • Doing what’s right for you • Visas Visas Visas • What’s next? • Can you have it all? Hacker Cabin Hacker Cabin is the community for remote workers, digital nomads and bootstrapped founders who are living life on their own terms. Discount Code: LYDIA10 Follow Dominik’s journey • Twitter • Help Kit HQ To hear more from us, follow us below • Twitter • Website • Business & Pleasure

This week we have Martin Donadieu on the pod. Martin is big on freedom. He creates his freedom by making apps in solo without any fundraising. His latest venture Capgo, lets you unlock continuous delivery for your app. Not only this, Martin also hosts a podcast. Solos, the podcast that uncovers insights surrounding how to create a successful business as a solopreneur.   We discuss a variety of topics, such as why no task should be considered urgent, the importance of following your feelings, the benefits of starting small instead of diving right in, and the unique experiences of being digital nomads with your partner and much much more. What we cover An introduction to Martin We don't need to follow the rules The goal: freedom Understanding your value and needs Nothing is urgent  Have a human approach Following the feeling Finding community in Madeira When you and your partner are digital nomads  What’s next? Can you have it all? Hacker Cabin Hacker Cabin is the community for remote workers, digital nomads and bootstrapped founders who are living life on their own terms. Discount Code: LYDIA10 Follow Martin’s journey Twitter Capgo Solos To hear more from us, follow us below Twitter Website Business & Pleasure

This week I chat to my friend Niamh O’Doherty. Niamh is a software implementation specialist for an e-commerce order inventory management platform. She’s been a digital nomad for the last year and is currently planning her next journey. We chat all about finding your footing, being self-reliant and dealing with bed bugs…🪳It’s a real honest review from a digital nomad. We have a good laugh, have a listen and join in! What we cover An introduction to Niamh Falling into the digital nomad lifestyle Choosing the next spot The highs and the lows Flexibility & freedom is the dream Just do it What’s next? Can you have it all? Hacker Cabin Hacker Cabin is the community for remote workers, digital nomads and bootstrapped founders who are living life on their own terms. Discount Code: LYDIA10 To hear more from us, follow us below Twitter Website Business & Pleasure

This week on the Business & Pleasure podcast, I talk to Hollie Lambert. Hollie is a Software Engineer and No-code developer who has spent the last 19 months working and traveling around Asia and South America. Hollie shares why it’s important to set boundaries, the benefits of being a digital nomad and an amazing list of resources perfect for a digital nomad, that you don’t want to miss out on. What we cover An introduction to Hollie Before digital nomad life Finding what works for you Co-living Biggest learnings Why setting boundaries is important Why community is important Get out of your bubble! Platforms and apps for digital nomad What’s next? Can you have it all? Follow Hollie’s journey Twitter Website Platforms/apps recommended by Hollie Wifi Tribe - https://wifitribe.co/ Nomad List - https://nomadlist.com/ Nomad Soulmates - https://www.facebook.com/groups/nomadsoulmates/ Best Onward Ticket - https://bestonwardticket.com Flighty - https://www.flightyapp.com/ Airalo - https://www.airalo.com/ Day one - https://dayoneapp.com/ Hacker Cabin Hacker Cabin is the community for remote workers, digital nomads and bootstrapped founders who are living life on their own terms. Discount Code: LYDIA10 To hear more from us, follow us below  Twitter Website Business & Pleasure

Prep yourself for a different kind of Business & Pleasure episode. I step into the spotlight, taking on the very questions I normally ask my guests. This week, we're flipping the script, which means you're going to find out about my personal journey of becoming a digital nomad, what drove me to starting my own business, and the invaluable lessons I've learned along the way. Trust me, this is an episode you won't want to miss! What we cover An introduction to me! (Lydia Melvin/ indie va) Why travel has always been priority number one Leaving work and having no plan  Starting my own business and hitting the road How I navigated the change in lifestyle Why you need to chill out a bit  Self growth is mad The good and the bad Can you have it all? Follow my journey Twitter Website Business & Pleasure Hacker Cabin Thank you to Hacker Cabin for sponsoring another episode! Hacker Cabin is the community for remote workers, digital nomads and bootstrapped founders who are living life on their own terms.  Discount Code: LYDIA10

Hello and welcome back to The Business and Pleasure podcast. This week we talk to Simon Daley. Simon has been a developer for 15+ years and is the founder of Hacker Cabin. Hacker Cabin is a community for remote founders, digital nomads and bootstrappers. Simon shares why he decided to create the community, what he’s learnt so far and what he’s got planned next. What we cover An introduction to Simon An introduction to Hacker Cabin What was it about the digital nomad lifestyle that really caught your attention? What have you learned so far from creating this community? Remote worker > Digital nomad What’s next for Hacker Cabin? How do you prioritise projects at the moment? Can you have it all? Follow Simon’s journey Twitter Website Hacker Cabin Hacker Cabin Hacker Cabin is the community for remote workers, digital nomads and bootstrapped founders who are living life on their own terms. Discount Code: LYDIA10 To find out more about Business & Pleasure, follow us on Twitter. 

Hello and welcome back to The Business and Pleasure podcast. This week we talk to Karla Fernandes. Karla is a designer who empowers creatives and founders to launch their digital product ideas using reliable no-code tools. She’s just launched Nocode Kraft which helps you turn your ideas into reality. Karla was a digital nomad for 7 years and is a travel pro. In this episode she shares everything she’s learnt, don’t miss out! What we cover How did your digital nomad journey begin? Navigating the change in lifestyle Exploring, living and learning languages Dealing with a change in schedule It’s not just about the work Say goodbye to your alarm clock Working on confidence and culture Make an agreement to take care of yourself What works and what doesn’t work Can you have it all? Follow Karla’s journey Twitter Website LinkedIn Nocode Kraft Hacker Cabin Hacker Cabin is the community for remote workers, digital nomads and bootstrapped founders who are living life on their own terms. Discount Code: LYDIA10

In our first episode we talk to Nate Ritter. Nate is a startup advisor, customer fractional CTO and a digital nomad pro who is currently travelling around Europe with his family. We discuss how to navigate the change in lifestyle, what works and what doesn't work and forced discomfort. We also hear Nate's thoughts on if you can really find a balance between business and pleasure.  Follow us 👇 Nate's Twitter / YouTube / Instagram / Website Lydia's Twitter / Website  Thank you for listening! 🖥 🏝 ✨