#3.22 30 and off script: why I'm grateful life didn't go as planned
What happens when you turn 30 and your life looks nothing like the version you imagined in your twenties?In this raw and honest solo episode, I reflect on the expectations I had for turning 30 — the career ladder, the house, the partner, the stability — and why none of that actually happened… and why that might be the best thing that ever happened to me.Instead of following the traditional path, I found myself building a life around freedom, travel, creativity, and connection. From walking away from toxic stability, to starting over during a pandemic, to building community on a tiny island in Portugal — this is the story of how I’ve redefined success in my 30s.If you're approaching 30, already there, or just feeling like your life isn't matching the timeline you expected — this episode is for you.We talk about:Letting go of the “perfect life” planMoving abroad and starting from scratchRedefining what success means at 30Celebrating the things we did figure outFinding joy and alignment off the traditional path💬 Let’s normalize not having it all figured out by 30 — and maybe even celebrate it.🎧 Tune in and don’t forget to follow Poncha Talk for more honest conversations about remote life, personal growth, and choosing your own path.🔗 Connect with me on social media:📸 Instagram: @ponchatalk🎥 TikTok: @ponchatalk🌍 Website: madeirafriends.org🎙️ Listen on your favorite platform:Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube (search Poncha Talk)
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#3.21 Turning 30! Why it's actually not so scary
To celebrate my 30th birthday, I took a sunset hike with eight of my closest friends — and brought my mic along. In this special episode, we talk about everything from what we thought we’d have figured out by now (spoiler: not much) to what truly matters less as we grow older. We laugh, we reflect, and we share stories.Whether you're turning 30 soon, already there, or just love a good mix of wisdom and chaos, this one’s for you. Recorded on the trail, raw and real — just the way I like it.Don't forget to follow Poncha Talk on Social Media @ponchatalk for regular updates about living abroad, remote work, and personal growth!
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#3.20 A Philosophical Take on Nomad Life, Friendship (and Stripping)
This week on Poncha Talk, I hiked and talked with my good friend Brandon Harpold (@brandonharpold), who brings a refreshing and philosophical lens to the remote lifestyle.After getting laid off from his job as a human factors engineer, Brandon chose to take a very different path—he’s now building a life as a speaker, coach, and online philosopher. We explore what it means to live intentionally, build meaningful friendships as a nomad, and experiment boldly with life (including that one time he became a stripper—for one night only).We also dig into how social media has shaped our attention spans and how Brandon uses short-form content to make big ideas more accessible in today’s fast-scroll world.This episode is thoughtful, unexpected, and full of reminders not to take life too seriously.Follow Brandon on Instagram: @brandonharpoldFollow the podcast: @ponchatalk⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Intro0:55 – Brandon’s story: from engineer to coach to philosopher12:05 – Nomad friendships through a philosophical lens22:10 – How social media reshapes our attention span (and Brandon’s bite-size approach to big ideas)27:45 – The one-night stripping story: curiosity, friends, and bold life experiments41:04 – Embracing silliness and the role of play in adult life
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#3.19 The best digital nomad destinations
In part two of my conversation with Kate, we shift focus to one of the most exciting parts of remote life: choosing your next destination. Kate shares how she started her podcast Hintern Horizont gibt’s WLAN, where she explores different nomad hotspots and remote work travel tips.We dive into what makes a destination great for digital nomads, from community and Wi-Fi to lifestyle and affordability. Kate also shares her favorite places, beginner-friendly suggestions, and what’s currently on her travel bucket list.If you're wondering where to go next (or first!) — this episode is for you.🔗 Follow Poncha Talk:📸 Instagram: @ponchatalk🎵 TikTok: @ponchatalk🎙️ Check out Kate’s podcast Hintern Horizont gibt’s WLAN:https://www.instagram.com/hintermhorizontgibtswlan⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro01:00 – How Kate launched her podcast Hintern Horizont gibt’s WLAN06:05 – What makes a destination ideal for digital nomads08:00 – Fuerteventura: Kate’s personal favorite and why it works so well13:37 – Ericeira, Portugal: a great starting point for first-time nomads16:40 – Buenos Aires, Argentina: perfect for a longer stay and city lovers20:30 – Tips for balancing work and travel23:30 – Long-term nomad life: choosing between new places and returning “home”
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#3.18 Reinventing yourself: when the "good" job isn't good enough anymore
What happens when you get everything you thought you wanted — and still feel unfulfilled?In this episode of Poncha Talk, we dive deep into what it really means to reinvent yourself. We explore the shift from climbing the corporate ladder to choosing a path that’s less traditional but far more aligned with your values.We talk about the emotional weight of quitting a job others admire, how to deal with societal pressure when you live life differently, and what it takes to start over — from going back to school to taking a job that pays less but brings more meaning. You'll also hear about letting go of everything that ties you to your home base (job, apartment, relationship) and the moment when years of nomading lead to a desire for a semi-permanent home again.🎧 Kate also hosts the podcast Hintern Horizont gibt's WLAN, where she shares her experiences and favorite nomad destinations:https://www.instagram.com/hintermhorizontgibtswlan⏱️ Timestamps0:00 Intro1:43 Kate’s background in the corporate world4:40 Quitting a perfectly “good” job12:36 How to get into a remote career15:40 Letting go of things to start a new life18:40 Challenges of reinventing yourself24:05 Friendships, relationships, and a home base as a nomad🔗 Follow Poncha Talk:📸 Instagram: @ponchatalk🎵 TikTok: @ponchatalk
About Poncha Talk: Remote Work, Digital Nomad Life, Personal Growth
Helping you design the remote work life and flexible lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of!
Poncha Talk is your go-to podcast for remote work, digital nomad living, and entrepreneurship. Hosted by Eli, a nomad living on Madeira, it features inspiring stories, actionable advice, and personal insights. Hear from freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote workers worldwide as they share tips on starting your remote journey, achieving work-life balance, and overcoming challenges. Whether you're seasoned or starting out, this podcast will inspire you to thrive in location-independent work.
Listen to Poncha Talk: Remote Work, Digital Nomad Life, Personal Growth, Hot Money: Agent of Chaos and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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