Without Borders: Stories by the Inescapably Foreign.

About Without Borders: Stories by the Inescapably Foreign.

Without Borders is the podcast for nomads, immigrants, third-culture kids, or anyone else who feels inescapably foreign. Each week, Nolan interviews people from around the world to break down borders and help people live a life unbound and salir de las fronteras que impone su mente. The transcripts and articles are there to help intermediate to advanced English learners. Every week, we explore cultural psychology, travel, health, sociopolitical issues, and the occasional existential crisis. You can follow along by reading the articles on bornwithoutborders.world Do you to book a private class or a group class? Head to englishforglobalcitizens.com 📝 Cambridge exam prep ✍️ Essay writing & storytelling 🗣️ Public speaking & presentations 🌍️ Cultural competence & business English 🧠 Evidence-based study techniques & psychology 💪 Fitness & health coaching (learn a language in a flow state) bornwithoutborders.substack.com (https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/s/podcast?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Live Unbound - Salir de las fronteras que impone tu mente

Category

education · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Oct 2022

Latest episode

13 Mar 2025

Latest episodes

67 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Mar 2025

   All That We Are

   I’ve been thinking about all that we are in this modern world. Then I thought to write a poem about the poisonous pot of social media, narcissism, and not being present in nature while recording myself not being present in nature for social media. Because we are a species of contradictions. A tangle of desires and denials We say one thing, do another. Preach humility, crave recognition We ache for authenticity, then filter ourselves into brands. We sell self-love in neatly packaged courses taught by those who only love their reflection. Like the shoeless, bright-teethed white guy with tribal tattoos, who’s all like “I’ll help you unlock your authentic self with this with a twelve-step module for $499” I can mock. But when I think of him as a boy with a dad who yelled, “You’re a worthless s**t” I cannot. Narcissism—capitalism’s bottomless resource, supplied by loneliness, demanded by egos. They say, “Be yourself.” But which self? The one shaped by love? Culture? Trauma? Fear? We are not singular, we are multitudes, opposing forces warring beneath our skin. We pretend at certainty, purity We demand an answer where none exists. Like the woman who says, “We’ll explore the answer with your birth chart,” I can mock. But when I think of the woman grasping at her last bit of hope I cannot. To be human is to hold paradox To know that the good and the bad are woven together That the demons can possess But only if you can’t confess they’re there. But what is the point in me saying all this? We chase meaning in a world that owes us none. We break ourselves against illusions, then blame the glass. We romanticize the escape. An “of-the-grid-sustainable life” that could never sustain all humans. Civilization, for all its sins, is where diversity plays. But again, what’s the point in me saying all this as I walk through what I should be part of. Somewhere in that silence is all that we are. Born Without Borders is a reader-supported guide to building bridges across divides, cultural psychology, and how to salir de las fronteras que impone tu mente. If you want to support my work, the best way is to take out a paid subscription for $5/month or only $30/year. You can also Buy Me a Coffee. (http://meacoffee.com/bornwithoutborders) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bornwithoutborders.substack.com/subscribe (https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

2. 

   21 Jan 2025

   How do You Build Global Connections?

   Before we get into the article, here's a quick note: I’m starting classes and courses where I mediate discussions with people across the ideological spectrum. We find common interests and goals to build bridges across divides. Send me a DM or respond to this email if this interests you. Who do you share goals with? How many of those people differ in ideology or belief system? And how the hell do you make it work? I work on a shared goal with several dozen people every week. They come from all over the world, and no matter their culture or opinions, we connect. A shared goal is the first step to bridging divides, but you must find common interests to stick together. Fortunately, I’m interested in just about everything except the Kardashians, so creating connections is easy. That doesn’t mean there are no disagreements, though. They’re crucial to our shared goal of improving their English. Contrasting ideas get people talking, and that’s exactly what I need my students to do. That’s what we all need to do. If we want a future where collaboration overcomes conflict, we need more people talking and listening, not just in English but in the universal language of curiosity and compassion. Here’s Where You Come In And where I plug in my website, englishforglobalcitizens.com (http://englishforglobalcitizens.com). Teaching English and cultural competency is not just how I make a living. It’s how I put into practice everything I write about. I help people from all walks of life—and they help me—gain tools to connect across cultures and borders. When you’re in my class, the world’s not as divided as it seems on the news. It’s even less complicated than it looks in some of my articles. The truth is, above all, people want to be heard and listened to. If you can make that happen, a lot of the other cultural know-how can take a step back. When you share my site with someone who needs classes—or who knows someone who does—you’re not just helping Born Without Borders; you’re helping build bridges across divides. Building global connections isn’t always easy. There are language hiccups, cultural faux pas, and days when even I can’t remember how to explain the difference between "lie" and "lay." But it’s worth it because every connection and shared laugh creates a little less division in the world. English for Global Citizens Building bridges across borders. 📝 Cambridge exam prep✍️ Essay writing & storytelling🗣️ Public speaking & presentations🌍️ Cultural competence & business English🧠 Evidence-based study techniques & psychology💪 Fitness & health coaching (learn a language in a flow state) My Teaching Style We learn languages to communicate, and we communicate to connect, so why do so many people leave an academy unable to give presentations, send emails, and tell jokes? Many teachers lack the cultural, psychological, and business expertise to prepare you beyond the exam world. While I use CEFR and Cambridge materials to gauge levels, my lessons adapt to your needs and how English evolves across cultures. I’ve helped nearly 100 students pass exams, but if your sole goal is a certificate, I’m not the teacher for you. I’m here to create connections and experiences. Language learning isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some prefer rules first, while others learn naturally through conversation. A great teacher tailors methods to fit you. My approach draws from a degree in English and psychology (UBC), advanced TEFL certifications, and years of teaching students from 30+ countries. Beyond teaching, my experience managing global marketing campaigns and researching cultural competence ensures your English works across cultural contexts. I don’t just teach language—I help you live it. Materials Cambridge Books: English for Life, Objective First, Ready for Advanced, and Objective Proficiency.Great Writing: Foundations, one, two, three, four, and five.Reading Explorer: SB1, SB2. SB3, SB4, and SB5.Are you looking for a specific book? Just let me know. What My Students Say Born Without Borders is a reader-supported guide to the craft of nonconformity, cultural psychology, travel writing and how to salir de las fronteras que impone tu mente. Both free and paid subscriptions are available. If you want to support my work and help me upgrade to more than one cabin bag, the best way is to take out a paid subscription or Buy Me a Coffee. But today, sharing my teaching site is the best way to show support. Further reading This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bornwithoutborders.substack.com/subscribe (https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

3. 

   14 Jan 2025

   Why My Body is for Sale

   Fitness coach and writer, Julian Smith, explores the commodification of physical bodies and the darker underbelly of external validation, revealing the importance of embracing discipline and imperfection.

Who has been a guest on Without Borders: Stories by the Inescapably Foreign.

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Socrates
• Judith Langlois
• David Perrett
• Jean Twenge
• W. Keith Campbell

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 46 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

79

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Without Borders: Stories by the Inescapably Foreign.

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.