In this episode, we head to Lower Manhattan to explore the layers of history hidden beneath the skyscrapers of Wall Street. Longtime GoNOMAD contributor Susmita Sengupta, a New Yorker with a sharp eye for the city’s past, takes us on a walking journey through the Financial District — revealing the colonial streets, early American landmarks, and sacred spaces that shaped the beginnings of the United States.

We begin at the New York Stock Exchange, but instead of watching the crowds, Susmita leads us to the Federal Hall National Memorial, the “Birthplace of American Government,” where George Washington took the oath of office in 1789. The Doric columns, the bronze Washington statue, and the preserved balcony inside all bring the early republic vividly to life.

Just steps away stands Trinity Church Wall Street, a Gothic masterpiece and the oldest public building still in use in Manhattan. Inside, its stained glass windows glow above the grave of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s most influential Founding Fathers.

We continue to St. Paul’s Chapel, the Georgian-era sanctuary where Washington prayed after his inauguration, before wandering toward Stone Street, a cobblestone lane dating back to the Dutch colonial era — built by enslaved Africans and now lined with lively restaurants.

Susmita then guides us to Fraunces Tavern Museum, a Revolutionary War landmark where patriots gathered and history unfolded. Across the street, she discovers the preserved remains of 17th‑century New Amsterdam, including the 1667 foundations of the Lovelace Tavern, visible beneath glass panels in the sidewalk.

The journey concludes at the powerful and moving African Burial Ground National Monument, the largest colonial-era burial site for enslaved and free Africans in North America. Rediscovered in 1991, it now stands as a solemn memorial and educational center honoring more than 400 individuals whose labor helped build New York City.

This episode is a thoughtful walk through the origins of the city — a reminder that beneath the financial capital of the world lies a deep, complex, and essential American story.

Written by GoNOMAD contributor Susmita Sengupta.

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EPISODE: KOMODO — BEYOND THE POSTCARDS

In this episode, host Max Hartshorne takes listeners deep into Komodo National Park, exploring what it actually feels like to move through one of the world’s wildest island chains. This isn’t the postcard version—this is the lived version.

Drawing from on‑the‑ground insight in the uploaded script — “You start to realize Komodo National Park isn’t really a checklist kind of place. It’s something you feel your way through.” — the episode breaks down the rhythm, the slowness, the raw landscapes, and the moments in between that define the Komodo experience.

You’ll hear how the park has evolved, why access to Komodo Island is still open but more regulated, and what it’s like to wake up on the water day after day as the islands reveal themselves in layers.

• Komodo isn’t a checklist destination — it’s a place that unfolds slowly, shaped by tides, weather, and time.
• The dragons are iconic, but the surrounding landscape—dry hills, blue water, untouched islands—often leaves a deeper impression.
• Life on the water forces a different pace, where time stretches and the experience becomes more about presence than itinerary.
• Underwater is another world entirely, with mantas, coral, and visibility that stops you in your tracks.
• The in‑between moments matter most — sunsets on deck, quiet conversations, simple meals that taste better because of where you are.
• Komodo lingers long after you leave, not as a bucket‑list trophy but as a place that shifts your perspective.

This episode was created with the insight and experience of Derek Haight, an American entrepreneur based in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, whose writing captures the emotional truth of traveling through Komodo National Park. From the script: “There’s something about Komodo that doesn’t really end when the trip does… Whatever it is, it lingers.” info@maikakomodotour.com

• Labuan Bajo — gateway to Komodo National Park
• Padar Island, Pink Beach, Rinca Island
• Manta encounters and world‑class snorkeling
• Life aboard traditional wooden boats
• Conservation efforts and regulated access to Komodo Island

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Episode: MOSTAR, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA — A RESILIENT CITY OF HISTORY, DIVING FEATS & ADVENTURE

In this episode, we travel to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina — a city where beauty, bravery, and centuries of history meet on the stones of one of the world’s most iconic bridges.

Host Max Hartshorne takes listeners to the edge of the 79‑foot Stari Most, where divers have leapt into the emerald Neretva River for nearly 500 years, continuing a rite of passage that has become one of Europe’s most thrilling spectacles.

We explore the rebuilt 16th‑century Ottoman bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage site that stands today as a powerful symbol of resilience after its destruction in 1993 and painstaking reconstruction stone by stone. Walking across it, you can feel the weight of history beneath your feet — the smooth limestone worn by centuries of footsteps, conflict, and renewal.

You’ll meet the Mostarski Icarí, the legendary divers who wait patiently for crowds to gather before taking their breathtaking plunge. Their tradition, named after the myth of Icarus, is one of the most unforgettable experiences in the Balkans.

Beyond the bridge, we wander through Mostar’s artisan‑filled Old Town, where shopkeepers proudly share hand‑made treasures — from glass mosaics to repurposed bullet casings transformed into art. These pieces tell the story of a city that has endured hardship yet continues to create beauty.

The episode also explores the adventures waiting just outside the city:

• Kravica Waterfall, a lush oasis 45 minutes from Mostar
• Počitelj, a hilltop town of Ottoman architecture
• Blagaj Tekke, the cliff‑side dervish monastery perched above the turquoise spring of the Buna River

Mostar is more than a postcard‑perfect stop — it’s a destination filled with meaning, memory, and a spirit that refuses to fade. Around every corner, visitors find reminders of resilience, creativity, and the enduring pride of its people.

This episode was produced by Max Hartshorne. Special thanks to GoNOMAD writer Monique Evdokiou for her help with the script and her vivid reporting from Mostar.