Why live without borders?

For this episode, the season one finale, that’s what I’m exploring.

If this is your first time tuning into the show, my name is Nolan Yuma Janssens. I was born in Chile, took my first steps in Belgium, and the second I felt a deep sense of home in Canada, I ended up in Spain.

I am

inescapably foreign.

Over the past eight months, I have interviewed people from all over the world. People with clashing ideologies that have resulted in culture wars and actual wars. Christians, Muslims, capitalists, communists, gays, straights, beliebers, receivers, anarchists, and masochists. Black, brown, yellow, white.

Labels.

Whereas they help us categorise and describe, all they really do is conquer and divide.

Like ecosystems, the more diverse our society and people, the more resistant we are to disease and whatever the universe throws at us… except maybe bureaucracy: where the simple becomes complicated and where common sense goes to die… slowly.

Anyway. Unity, not uniformity.

Some of my guests had very different opinions and ideas than my own. Some don’t support gay marriage, think communism works, like guns, and some don’t even like beer. How the hell did I get along with these people?

I focused on what makes us human.

Curiosity. And travel is curiosity manifested through movement.

Our bipedalism, large brains, dextrous hands, and speech help to explain our ability to travel to more places than any other animal on earth. We are designed to be curious travellers. It all started with our ability to stand up straight, scan the horizons, and seek more food, shelter, people, and information.

By focusing on what unifies us — curiosity, travel, and our love of culture — I learned something from every one of my guests.

I listened. But listening does nothing without reflection, just like travel does nothing without stillness. And a bureaucrat does nothing… does nothing.

So why live a life without borders?

I started this podcast hoping to break down borders. Not all borders. I know they play a role in preserving linguistic heritage, culture, and providing jobs for people who work from 9 to 5, but get home by 2.

I think you know who I’m referring to by now.

Anyway. What I mean by a world without borders is a world without the walls of anger, hatred, and ignorance that separates us. That’s what I mean by “Without Borders.”

At first, I thought that meant being a “global citizen” because problems like climate change, poverty, inequality, famine, war, and the popularity of Reggaeton are global problems that take a global mindset to solve.

But upon further reflection, I realised the term “global citizen” has become an ideology in itself. Many who — and here comes that ugly word — ‘label’ themselves as global citizens believe their way of thinking is good for others, and as Alan Watts pointed out, believing you’re doing good for others is full of conceit.

A world full of virtuous global citizens running around?

That doesn’t sound diverse. That sounds like uniformity, not unity. It sounds like the road to hell paved with good intentions.

So I’m not trying to galvanise a movement of travellers or “Global Citizens.” I’m just trying to be part of a balance of stories. Stories that don’t push one ideology over another. Stories that show we’re a diverse species of primates just trying to figure ourselves out.

As I mentioned at the beginning, this is the season one finale, but it might be the end of the Without Borders podcast. If you enjoyed this podcast, please share your favourite episodes and spread the word. I’m here to listen to your feedback, collaborate, and support projects, but I can’t sustain the hours I put into creating and marketing this podcast if people don’t support the show at bornwithoutborders.substack.com.

I do this because I know we need a balance of stories. I believe that when diverse voices reach a broader public, we can begin to increase rational compassion.

Thanks to everyone who came on the show and took the time out of their day to listen.

And if you happen to be a bureaucrat. I’m sorry for all the jokes and I hope you enjoyed listening to this during your work hours.

Nolan speaks with Chantal Patton from @GrowingUpWithoutBorders Chantal reveals what it’s like trying to travel to every country in the world while homeschooling three kids. Nolan and Chantal also discuss school systems around the world, cultural variations, why Home Exchange kicks ass, and of course, why both their projects have the words “Without Borders.”

Support the show

Growing Up Without Borders Website and Courses

Transcript available for English learners.

00:00 Introduction

01:33 - Visiting every country with 3 kids

09:31 - Generalising vs learning about cultures

20:28 - Homeschooling & School systems around the world

38:39 - Cultural variations within Canada, the USA, and New Zealand

41:22 - Airbnb & hotels vs Home Exchange

47:04 - Growing Up Without Borders Courses & digital nomad tips

53:49 - Why “Without Borders?”

56:18 - Check your “Geographical privilege.”

In this episode, we explore the role of educators in a world with artificial intelligence. Discover how teachers adapt and navigate an AI revolution. Katie and Nolan also share tips about how to learn languages and adapt motivation techniques depending on the culture and learning style.

Watch the video here.

Support the show, read the transcript, and learn more at:

You can also learn more about Abridge Academy.

00:00 - Learning Chinese & Acculturating to China

17:23 - A reacher’s role in a world of AI

25:00 - Culture-bound motivation styles

33:45 - Acculturating to Japan

40:15 - How language shapes our perception