Lessons from North Korea, Getting Sober in Uganda, and Sleeping at the Pyramids in Sudan with Conor Walsh (Ep 209)

Hear how a decade of nomad life shaped his understanding of alternate realities, recovery, and what travel can teach us. ============================ Get the Monday Minute my weekly email with 3 personal recs for travel, culture, and living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds. ============================ ON THIS EPISODE Conor Walsh takes us on his journey growing up in Ireland, developing his interest in travel, and leaving at age 21 to become a full-time nomad.  He reflects on over a decade of travel, starting with his experiences in Southeast Asia, what he loves about Thailand, and the social impact businesses he was involved with in Kuala Lumpur.   Conor also talks about his trip to North Korea, lessons from experiencing an alternate reality, and how it later informed his ability to understand the wide adoption of conspiracy theories like QAnon.  Next, he opens up about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse and how one night in Kampala, Uganda he was able to quit cold turkey and stay sober ever since.  Conor then talks about spending his birthday in Sudan, learning about Sufi Islamic traditions, and sleeping alone at the pyramids.  And, finally, he reflects on his experience in Ethiopia, why it was so different from other African countries, and tells the story of the night he ran into Michael K. Williams. → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FIND YOUR NEXT EPISODE Explore The Maverick Show Starter Packs — some of my favorite conversations curated by theme so you can easily find the episodes that match your interests. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU See my Top 10 Travel Apps See my Top 10 Books that Shaped the Way I Travel See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ============================ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram and DM Matt to continue the conversation Please leave a rating and review — it really helps the show and I read each one personally Support the show by buying me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes!