Unexpected Role Reversal: Stephen Ekstrom on Life as a Digital Nomad

Business Class: The Tourism Industry's Podcast

In this special episode of Business Class, the mic flips as Cagdas, a PhD candidate researching digital nomadism and global mobility, interviews our usual host, Stephen Ekstrom. The result is a deeply personal, reflective, and often humorous journey into Stephen’s life on the road.

What started as a temporary escape from a too-large Florida house turned into a transformative lifestyle spanning three and a half years, two dogs, and an RV that's more home than vehicle. Stephen shares how his lifelong love of learning and his work in tourism education evolved as he embraced a nomadic way of life. From scenic desert skies to Starlink-powered workdays, this episode reveals how freedom, flexibility, and a passion for people have reshaped Stephen’s worldview.

They discuss the mindset shifts associated with perpetual mobility, the blurry line between loneliness and solitude, and the invisible communities that form among fellow nomads. Stephen discusses how letting go of rigid expectations can lead to a more present, connected, and joyful existence, both personally and professionally.

Whether you're dreaming of going nomadic or just curious about life untethered, this conversation offers heartfelt wisdom, practical perspective, and a reminder that adventure often begins where certainty ends.

Business Class is brought to you by Learn Tourism, the nonprofit academy - harnessing the power of science, business psychology and adult education to advance the tourism industry and build sustainable economies. Learn how to engage your community, win over stakeholders and get more visitors at learntourism.org.

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