Kaela Atleework takes us on her journey growing up in California, becoming an international model for Chanel, and then leaving it all to pursue the nomad life. After 10 years of traveling, she shares her critical reflections on “voluntourism”. Kaela then takes us through some considerations for being more socially conscious travelers, including the importance of learning the historical and political context of the places we travel. Next she shares a story about the time she hitchhiked across South America alone, and reflects on how becoming a digital nomad helped her create a more socially connected life. Kaela then dives into her area of expertise on human connection, talks about her concept of “Instantaneous Intimacy”, and shares techniques for making deep friendships quickly. She then explains the importance of being more than just environmentally conscious travelers, and shares some specific tactics for how we can be “ecologically regenerative” travelers. Kaela then talks about founding Montaia Basecamp as a model for ecologically regenerative and socially connected co-living and co-working in connection with the land. She then explains her “migrational” nomad lifestyle and the unique benefits of this particular travel style. And, finally, Kaela offers her observations and analysis of the way a segment of the pseudo-spiritual wellness community has coalesced with the far right wing around narratives around COVID disinformation and anti-vaccine conspiracies, and what she feels is a potential path out. FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT: www.TheMaverickShow.com
Episode #167: How To Create Deep Friendships Quickly and Design an Ecologically-Regenerative Nomad Life with Kaela Atleework
Episode Summary
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About the Guest
Kaela Atleework
Kaela Atleework is a former international model for Chanel who has now been a digital nomad, public speaker, and community builder for the last 10 years. Originally from California, she has now traveled to over 40 countries. Her specialty is in the art of human connection and she has taught workshops all over the world from corporate business teams to transformational music festivals. Kaela is also the co-Founder of Montaia–an international network of purpose-driven digital nomads and conscious creatives. She spends part of the year at Montaia Basecamp—an intentional co-living community in California.
What You'll Learn
- How to Create “Instantaneous Intimacy” and make Deep Friendships Quickly as a Nomad
- How Becoming a Nomad Can Provide a More Socially Connected Life
- How to Design a Socially Conscious and “Ecologically Regenerative” Travel Lifestyle
Links From the Episode
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TOP 2 BOOKS THAT KAELA RECOMMENDS
SEARCH ENGINE THAT PLANTS TREES
PERSON WITH WHOM KAELA MOST WANTS TO HAVE DINNER
TOP 2 FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
TOP 3 BUCKET LIST DESTINATIONS
LOCATION WHERE THE INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE
OTHER PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Argentina
- Bali
- La Paz, Bolivia
- Los Angeles, California
- Costa Rica
- France
- Mexico
- Cusco, Peru
- Ulan-Ude, Siberia
- South America
- USA
CONNECT WITH KAELA
- Montaia Basecamp Facebook
- Montaia Community Website
- Personal Email
- Personal Instagram
- Personal Website
Time Stamped Show Notes
**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.
[2:04] Matt and Kaela talk about Buenos Aires
[7:57] Growing up in California and Traveling Internationally as a Kid
[12:41] Becoming a Professional Model in Los Angeles
[17:08] Becoming a Digital Nomad
[19:41] Kaela’s Critical Reflections on “Voluntourism”
[24:14] Considerations for Being a More Socially Conscious Traveler
[30:52] Learning the Historical and Political Context of the Places we Travel
[33:52] Hitchhiking Alone Across South America
[37:53] Creating a More Socially Connected Life by Becoming a Nomad
[45:41] Instantaneous Intimacy: The Art of Making Friends Quickly
[50:11] Ecologically-Regenerative Travel
[56:10] Founding Montaia Basecamp
[1:01:24] Kaela’s Migrational Nomad Lifestyle
[1:05:11] Anti-Vax Conspiracies and COVID Disinformation in the Spirituality and Wellness Space
[1:11:38] The impact travel has had on Kaela
[1:13:30] The Lightning Round
- Top Two Favorite Books
- #1 Travel Hack
- Person with whom Kaela would most like to have dinner
- Top Three favorite travel destinations
- Top 3 Bucket List Destinations
[1:18:13] Follow and Connect with Kaela