Boarding Call

Anna Muckerman is an American from Maryland who first came to France as an exchange student to learn the language. What began as a study-abroad experience took a life-changing turn when she met and eventually married a Frenchman. Six years later, Anna has built a life in Nice, France and now proudly calls it home.

Rob D. Willis is a British Strategic Story Producer from Norfolk, England who has spent the past 16 years based in Berlin. He gives storytelling workshops and public-speaking coaching, drawing on his long experience living abroad. Rob also creates content about culture, blending perspectives from his British roots, his life in Germany, and his multicultural marriage with his Brazilian wife.

Brendan and Susie Davis are an American–Chinese couple who run a YouTube channel about life in France as foreigners, sharing practical advice for anyone considering the move. For the past two years, they’ve been based in France, where they also welcomed their daughter. Brendan is a writer, director, producer, and composer, while Susie is a working professional, and together they offer a grounded look at building a new life abroad.

Nya Yeanafehn is a stand-up comedian from New Jersey who relocated to Berlin after touring Europe with comedy gigs. He’s been based in Berlin for two years now, fully immersed in the city’s vibrant comedy scene. Alongside performing, Nya creates content about life abroad and hosts the Third Culture Talk podcast, where he explores identity, humor, and culture.

Maddie Lucas is an Australian creator from Adelaide, whose life took an unexpected turn after meeting the man who would later become her husband — a half-Uruguayan with deep roots in Latin America. What started as a cross-cultural relationship eventually brought her all the way to Uruguay, where she’s been based for the past six years. Maddie now makes YouTube videos about life abroad, the Spanish language, and her experiences adapting to Uruguay as an Australian.

Stepan Bogatyrev is a YouTuber and cinematographer from Saint Petersburg, Russia. After the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, he made the difficult decision to leave his home country and start anew in France. Now based there with his wife for over a year, Stepan continues to pursue his passion for filmmaking, creating visually striking content that reflects his journey and his experience rebuilding life abroad.

Jared Hartmann is a Canadian who, after traveling to a number of countries, became fascinated by the stories of those who choose to build lives far from where they were born. This curiosity led him to create the Boarding Call Podcast, a show dedicated to conversations about culture shock, identity, and the process of embracing new ways of life. Now reflecting on the first year of hosting the podcast, Jared shares what he’s learned from these international stories and how the experience has reshaped his own understanding of the world.

Liam Dean is a British content creator from England who moved to Chile after meeting a Chilean woman who would later become his wife. What started as a cross-cultural love story turned into a brand-new life abroad. For the past seven years, Liam has been living in Santiago with his wife and their son, where he streams video games and creates videos about his experiences adapting to life in Chile as a Brit.

Luardo Gamero is a Mexican content creator and podcast host who moved to Europe in his twenties in search of new experiences. What began as an adventure abroad led him to Germany, where he met his future wife and built a new life. For the past 13 years, he has called Berlin home. Luardo is the host of the Guten Tag and Berlin & Elsewhere podcasts, which talk about life in Germany, both in English and Spanish.

Conor Mangan, originally from Cork, Ireland, moved to Canada 12 years ago. His career as a professional rugby and football player took him across both Canada and the United States before he eventually made Toronto his home. Today, he works as a real estate agent, bringing the same drive and adaptability that defined his athletic years to his life and career in Canada.

Paul Strikwerda is originally from the Netherlands but moved to the United States 25 years ago, eventually settling in Vermont. Over the years, he has built a career as a professional voice actor, and has also been making content online. Having spent so much of his life in the U.S. gives this Dutchman a unique perspective on both countries.

David Wen is from California who moved to the Netherlands to pursue his Master’s degree. What began as a study abroad experience grew into seven years of living in the country, where he fully immersed himself in Dutch culture and daily life. While in the Netherlands, David also began creating YouTube videos about Dutch culture and life in Europe.

Josh Collins was born in the United States but moved to Okinawa, Japan, when he was in sixth grade. He spent nearly a decade growing up there, navigating life as a third culture kid and balancing both American and Japanese influences. Fluent in the language and deeply connected to the culture, Japan still feels like home to him even though he now resides in the U.S.

Tait Lawton is a Canadian from Edmonton who has maintained a deep connection with China for over 20 years. Altogether, he has spent a decade living in Nanjing, where he met his wife, achieved fluency in Mandarin, and even started his own business. Today, Tait runs a marketing agency based in China while also creating content in both Mandarin and English that covers current events, pop culture, and language. 

Cole Fogle is a Canadian from Toronto who first moved to Taiwan nearly 26 years ago. Over the years, he went back and forth between Canada and Taiwan in search of a place to call home, eventually settling in Taiwan, where he built a life with his wife and their two children. Cole creates content about daily life in Taiwan, often featuring interviews with other foreigners who have also made the island their home.

Nick Pilgrim is a Russian-Ukrainian musician and content creator who fled Ukraine at the onset of the war. Holding dual citizenship between two countries in conflict, he faced immense challenges navigating borders and leaving Russia during a time of heightened political tension. Two years ago, he finally began a new chapter in Canada and now calls Edmonton, Alberta  home.

Fabien, originally from Marseille, France, has lived in Denmark for the past nine years, while Anastasia, from Saint Petersburg, Russia, has called Denmark home for seven. Together, they are based in Copenhagen, where they are raising their two children in a multilingual environment. Drawing on their own experiences of navigating life abroad, they create content about raising kids in a foreign country, language learning, and overcoming cultural differences.

Jonny Arnott is a Canadian traveler and content creator from Ottawa who has visited 34 countries. After an intensive backpacking trip, he moved to Amsterdam on a working-holiday visa, where he lived for a year. Drawing from his wide-ranging travel experiences across the globe, Jonny creates content that offers a window into the cultures, food, and adventures that have shaped his journey.

Alex is a Russian content creator who has spent the past 11 years living in Taiwan. Based in Tainan, he creates insightful and engaging content that often features fellow foreigners navigating life on the island. From food and festivals to language and local customs, Alex offers a unique perspective on Taiwanese culture—one shaped by being both an outsider and long-term resident.

Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Fernando Tábora has spent the last 10 years adapting to life in Munich, Germany. Through his entertaining content, he explores the contrasts between Latin American and German culture, offering sharp commentary on everyday life, identity, and what it really means to adapt to a new country.

Alysa is a content creator with a multicultural background and a lifelong connection to China. Born to an American father and Polish mother, she moved to Guangzhou in 1999 at the age of four and has called it home ever since. Her unique upbringing shaped her perspective on culture, belonging, and identity. Through her content, Alysa explores what it means to grow up between worlds and shares thoughtful reflections on culture, language, and what it's like to be seen as an outsider in the only country she’s ever truly known.

Molli Sébrier is an American writer, and content creator who spent nearly a decade living in France. Her journey began in 2014 as an au pair, but a desire for deeper integration led her to pursue intensive language studies and a university degree in French literature. After years of navigating visas, cultural nuances, and life in Paris, Molli fully integrated into French society. She’s now back in the U.S., where she shares insights on language, identity, and her experience abroad through engaging social media content.

Marcos Wolf is a content creator from Canada with German and Argentinian heritage. Motivated by a desire to explore his roots, Marcos traveled to Argentina—and quickly fell in love with the culture. What started as a visit became a life-changing experience, inspiring him to produce informative content about Argentinian life, culture, and identity through the lens of someone both foreign and familiar.

Nick is a content creator and comedian from California, who has called Japan home for the past 18 years. What began as a fascination with Japanese culture eventually led to a permanent move—and a remarkable career in comedy. Nick has spent most of his time in Japan performing as a manzai comedian, mastering the language and immersing himself fully in the culture.

Chad Kubanoff is a professionally trained chef originally from the United States. Drawn to Southeast Asia early in his career, Chad made the bold decision to relocate to Vietnam, where he has lived for 9 years. From running cooking classes and restaurants to producing thoughtful videos about Vietnamese cuisine and culture, Chad has carved out a unique niche at the intersection of food, travel, and cross-cultural connection.

Raul is a Venezuelan exporter, musician, and content creator based in Shenzhen, China. Nearly two years ago, he made the move to China in search of new professional and personal opportunities. By day, he works in international trade, and by night, he channels his passion for music and storytelling into digital content. Through his videos, Raul documents everyday life in China from a foreigner's perspective, along with his ongoing journey to learn Mandarin. 

Samuel is a Swedish content creator and entrepreneur based in Mérida, Mexico. After meeting his girlfriend and visiting her hometown, Samuel fell in love with the country and made the bold decision to relocate to Mexico permanently. Through his content, he shares cultural insights, travel tips, and stories of daily life as a foreigner integrating into Mexican society.

Conor is an American traveler and content creator with a deep appreciation for Thailand. Over the past nine years, he has visited the country multiple times, developing a strong connection to its culture, people, cuisine, and language. His passion eventually led him to relocate to Bangkok, where he spent eight months immersing himself in daily life and learning to speak conversational Thai.

Eric con C, originally from Mexico, moved to Canada with his girlfriend in search of new opportunities. He is now based in Toronto, where he has lived for the past six years. Eric is the host of the podcast Chingoneando, a show in which he engages in conversations with guests from diverse backgrounds, all with the aim of expanding his understanding of the world.

Donnie is an American content creator and co-founder of the YouTube channel Passport Two. In 2018, he and his wife Aubrey left their jobs to travel full-time, eventually settling in southern Germany. Through their videos, Donnie shares humorous and insightful takes on daily life and cultural differences between the U.S. and Germany.

Paulina de los Santos, a native Texan and host of The Pod Abroad podcast, discovered an alternative way of life in Europe after completing her Master’s program abroad. The experience inspired her to permanently relocate to Munich, Germany, where she has lived for the past nine years.

Tomasz Jakub Kusienicki is a software engineer from Poland who relocated to Vienna, Austria, together with his family in 2020. Captivated by the charm and character of the city, Tomasz soon developed a deep appreciation for its culture, lifestyle, and vibrant atmosphere and began creating content that explores various aspects of life in Vienna. His work touches on cultural differences, travel tips and restaurant recommendations, among other topics. 

Tristan Martin is a content creator from the U.S. Over the past five years, he’s gone on numerous journeys through Latin America, with Uruguay capturing most of his attention. After spending many months in the country, he’s deeply immersed himself in the local culture and picked up fluent Spanish along the way. He’s now based in Montevideo, where he plans to settle for the next 18 months.

Jen and Stevo are a couple from California who have been living and traveling abroad since 2011. They have fully embraced the digital nomad lifestyle, working remotely as they explore the world. Their YouTube channel highlights their travel adventures, offers insights into remote living, and shares practical tips for those interested in long-term travel. Two of their most significant journeys were to China in 2011 and Cambodia in 2015, where they spent three years immersing themselves in the local culture.

Michy Herzog is a videographer and photographer from Munich, Germany. His work has taken him extensively throughout Latin America, where he has become fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese. After discovering the beauty of Brazil in 2015, Michy chose to make Rio de Janeiro his home. He is currently in the process of obtaining permanent residency in Brazil.

Grace Robinson, known online as Lukgate, is a British entrepreneur and content creator based in London. She first visited Thailand at the age of 18 and quickly fell in love with the country, its people, and its language. She went on to study Thai and Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Leeds and has been speaking Thai for 17 years.

Stas Konstantinov is a Moldovan-born content creator whose passion for cultural exploration has shaped his online presence. Drawn to Latin America, he relocated to Colombia, where he has lived for the past 12 years. On his YouTube channel, Stas shares vlogs in Spanish, documenting his experiences and insights as a foreigner in Colombia.

Mally, known online as Mobile Mally, is a British content creator. His fascination with Japanese culture began nearly a decade ago when he discovered the world of anime. This passion led him to immerse himself in the language, achieving proficiency in Japanese before ultimately relocating to Tokyo, where he has been based for the past two years.

Jewells Chambers, originally from New York, moved to Iceland nine years ago. Embracing the local culture and language, she has even learned to speak Icelandic. She is the founder of the YouTube channel and podcast All Things Iceland, where she creates informative content for those considering a similar journey.

Gary Parkosewich, more commonly known as “Gary el Gringo,” is an American content creator. After visiting Medellín, Colombia, he immediately fell in love with the country. He eventually worked as a news anchor for the RCN channel in Bogotá, where he lived for five years.

Geoff and Alex are two Americans who independently made their way to Germany over a decade ago. After meeting in Berlin, they combined their efforts—and their collective 25 years of experience—to create informative content about life in Germany from a foreign perspective.

Matt, an American content creator from Oregon, has devoted years and thousands of hours to mastering the Japanese language. Now, he shares his language acquisition method with others. He currently lives in Japan, where he has resided for two and a half years.

Originally from Sweden, Lukas Engström has spent the past 14 years living in Taiwan. Drawing from his extensive knowledge of the country, its culture, and language, Lukas creates engaging and informative content about Taiwan. He is based in Taipei, where he lives with his Taiwanese wife.

Originally from Louisiana, Parham, also known as Kob, is an avid world traveler who has been exploring the globe for the past 16 years. Despite his nomadic lifestyle, one country that particularly captured his interest was Thailand, where he spent five years in total, learning to speak fluent Thai.

African Ryou was born in Ivory Coast to Korean parents. His unique heritage exposed him to diverse cultures and languages throughout his upbringing. He spent most of his life in Africa before attending university abroad. Now based in Korea, he works as a personal trainer and content creator.

Originally from Germany, Uli has lived in five different countries throughout her life. Over three years ago, she relocated to Sweden with her family, where she now resides. Uli is a content creator, producing insightful videos that explore life in Sweden from the perspective of a foreigner.

Daniel Peacock is a content creator from Northern Ireland. During a two-year stay in Hong Kong and Macau, he developed a deep appreciation for the Cantonese language, its rich culture, and its cuisine. Together with his wife, Ellen, he now produces content focused on cultural exploration, language education, and music.

Duncan, known as Otro Gringo Más online, is a content creator from Washington D.C. with a deep passion for Latin America. Having lived in Colombia for over six years, he has acquired an impeccable understanding of the culture and language. This enables him to produce humorous and informative videos on all things Colombia.

Brandon Hurley, better known as Phúc Mập, is an American content creator based in Vietnam. After a decade of living in Vietnam, he has developed a profound appreciation for its people, along with an extensive understanding of the culture and language.

Nate Tecotzky is an American-born Spanish teacher and content creator with a deep passion for promoting the Spanish language. Through his content and classes, he fosters a love for Spanish among learners worldwide. Currently, Nate resides in Mexico City, where he continues to create engaging content and share his expertise in the Spanish language.

Rafael Saavedra is a Venezuelan content creator based in Shenzhen, China. His work centers on China's infrastructure, engineering, and technology. Over the past 10 years, he has adapted to life in China, including learning Mandarin Chinese.

Jake Braymiller is an American traveler and content creator who has explored 52 countries over the past six years. In 2018, he spent three years teaching English in Yangzhou, China. He now resides in Prague, Czech Republic, where he has established a home base for his ongoing international travels.

Joshua Thomson was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan to parents of European descent. He produces highly engaging content about his experiences as a "foreign-looking" individual in a largely homogenous Japanese society.

Kally Higgins is an American content creator and English teacher based in Bogotá, Colombia. Having spent several years immersed in Colombian culture, Kally has reached an exceptionally high level of Spanish fluency. She leverages her cultural and linguistic expertise to make engaging and informative videos about both Latin American culture and the English language.

When he was just 26, Anderson Dias set a world record by visiting all 196 countries in 543 days. Anderson comes from humble beginnings in Salvador, Brazil, where he sold cell phone cases to pay the bills. He is currently visiting every country for a second time and continues to document his international adventures on social media. 

Coming Nov. 2, 2024!

Boarding Call is a podcast to learn about our world through conversations with those bold enough to live outside the borders of their comfort zone.