My background: I was born into the Jehovah’s Witness cult, and I see several similarities between that group and the Natureboy cult.

What is a cult?

A cult is a group or social movement defined by unusual or extreme beliefs and practices. It typically centers around a charismatic leader who demands unquestioning loyalty and uses manipulative control tactics to isolate, exploit, and control the daily lives of its members.

• Authoritarian leadership: A single leader, or a small inner circle, holds absolute and unquestioned power. The leader is often seen as divine, uniquely enlightened, or as having exclusive access to the “truth.”

• Thought reform and control: The group uses psychological manipulation to influence members, reduce personal autonomy, and force conformity.

• Isolation: Members are cut off from outside influences, including family, friends, and broader society, to increase dependency on the group.

• Exploitation: The group takes advantage of members financially, physically, or emotionally to serve the leadership’s goals or enrich the organization.

• Fear of leaving: There are strict rules and serious psychological or social consequences for questioning authority, dissenting, or trying to leave.

Why was Natureboy successful?

• He created the image of a utopia in the jungle.

• He appealed to Black people by promoting the idea of getting back into the sun and closer to nature.

• He used pairing, romance, and love bombing to draw people in and deepen attachment.

Similarities to Jehovah’s Witnesses

• Love bombing and social pressure.

• Heavy reliance on association, belonging, and extended family connections.

• The use of code words, special language, and identity-shaping phrases such as “the only thing stopping you is you.”

Other environments with cult-like traits

• The military.

• Corporations or corporate America.

• The art world.

• Certain forms of yoga.

• Jiu-jitsu communities in some cases.

How to build healthy community and resources

Build a real support system outside controlling groups.

• “Build Support System”
  YouTube link

• Dr. T. Hasan Johnson, No One Is Coming: The Brotherhood Black Men Need to Survive Depression
  YouTube link

• Immortal Mindz - The Conscious Nomad
  YouTube channel

• Corey’s introduction, credentials, and global journey.

• Growing up in North St. Louis, ancestry, and identity formation.

• African American identity versus broader Black diasporic identity.

• Why Pan-Africanism matters to him.

• Why he changed his name to Mbonge.

• Study abroad in Brazil and how Rio shaped his worldview.

• Why South Africa became the place where he built his life.

• Life in South Africa: culture, belonging, and daily adjustment.

• Racism and the experience of being a Black immigrant in South Africa.

• Safety, violent crime, and how to move smart on the ground.

• Xenophobia, protests, and which immigrant groups face exclusion.

• Cultural problems Black Americans may face when visiting or living in South Africa.

• How the Black American experience differs from that of white or European expats.

• UCT law school, academia, and his intellectual development.

• Current work in law, teaching, and PhD-level research.

• Reparations, long-term vision, and creating scholarships.

Medium

Instagram

Podcast Discussion Points with Teacher Darrion Willis

• Darrion’s introduction, educational accomplishments and years spent teaching, including his time teaching abroad.

• Growing up in DC, specifically the infamous “Washington Highland Dwellings” projects, known as one of the city’s most notorious sections, and what it was like during that time.

• Discussion of his Medium article STRIVE FOR GREATNESS, where he mentioned negative male archetypes in his community and how positive influences steered him towards education.

• How Darrion’s mother and family were instrumental in steering him to the books.

• How motivational speaker Eric Thomas influenced him in high school and college.

• The importance of mentors at an early age and what Black men can do to find mentors.

• How a random conversation encouraged Darrion to teach abroad, his acceptance into Overseas Education Group (OEG), and leaving for Thailand.

• Adapting to life abroad and how faith in God helped his journey.

• The benefits of English teaching for new travelers.

• Adapting to life as an English teacher.

• Making friends and associates while traveling

• Reflecting on five years abroad.

• Maintaining spirituality while traveling.

• Brief reflection on dating Thai and Vietnamese women.

• Importance of having a goal, a purpose and understanding your “why.”

• His advice on teaching in South East Asia and why he prefers Vietnam for teaching but Thailand for quality of life.

• Plans for travel in the future.

• Words of wisdom for those who want to follow in his footsteps.

• How people can contact him on social media.

I break down the signs that era is over: tighter visas, overexposed destinations, and a new wave of creators who were never really taught how to travel—but still teach millions of people where to go and how to act.

We talk about old-school travel secrets, the English-teaching expats who kept things low-key, and early YouTube travelers like No Joke Howard and GS350JPN, who showed life abroad without turning every spot into a circus.

You’ll hear why some of the best locations really were better in the past, why travel has become a strange online subculture, and how the Passport Bros discourse has complicated things for Black men who just want to see the world.

Most importantly, we get into what to do next: how to choose your next spots, why you shouldn’t broadcast everything, and how the film “The Beach” warned us about what happens when “secret” places go viral.

If you’re a Black man thinking about living abroad, teaching, or just traveling smarter, this episode is a blueprint for the post–Golden Age era.

1. How the Golden Age Felt for Black Men Travelling

• The Golden Age of Black Men’s Travel
  I talk about the years before Covid and before the Passport Bros label, when it was easier for Black men to move quietly, settle abroad, and enjoy places that weren’t yet overrun by clout chasers.

• Signs the Golden Age Is Ending
  I break down how visa rules, rising costs, and overexposed destinations are making it harder to live the same long‑term expat lifestyle Black men had a decade ago.

• Why Travel Turned into a Weird Subculture
  We get into how travel shifted from something you earned through research and time on the ground into an online identity—Passport Bros, digital nomads, and “travel influencers.”

2. Old School vs New School Travel Culture

• Why Many Spots Were Better Back in the Day
  I talk honestly about cities and countries that were cheaper, safer, and more relaxed before they blew up on YouTube and TikTok, and how that changed how locals see Black men abroad.

• Why It Was Easier to Settle Abroad Years Ago
  I explain how older visa systems, fewer foreigners, and less social media pressure made it simpler to build a real life overseas, especially if you were teaching or working quietly.

• Content Creators Who Were Never Taught How to Travel
  We look at the new wave of short‑trip creators who land for a week, film “ultimate guides,” and leave—without understanding local etiquette, long‑term impact, or the old codes of travel.

3. Passport Bros, Reputation, and Travel Secrets

• How the Passport Bros Image Changed Black Men’s Travel
  I break down how the Passport Bros movement and the drama around it shifted how Black men abroad are perceived, even if they’re not part of that scene at all.

• The Old Heads Who Guarded Travel Secrets
  I shout out the previous generation of Black travelers and English teachers who kept some game offline and believed not every city, visa hack, or neighborhood needed to go viral.

• No Joke Howard, GS350JPN, and the Early YouTubers
  We revisit figures like No Joke Howard and GS350JPN, who showed real life abroad and inspired people to move, but still had more respect for context, nuance, and not ruining the spot.

4. The End of the Era and What Comes Next

• Visa Restrictions and the Official End of the Golden Age
  I talk about how new visa rules, digital nomad crackdowns, and stricter immigration make it clear that the old “just show up and figure it out” era is basically done.

• Why Travel Information Isn’t Earned Anymore
  We compare the old days of forums, long emails, and word‑of‑mouth to the current flood of fast content, where people skip the work and just copy what they see online.

• What Black Men Should Do Going Forward
  I share how Black men can move smarter now: choosing the next spots, keeping some places off the internet, and focusing on skills, community, and long‑term stability instead of clout.

• The Lesson from “The Beach”
  I use the film “The Beach” as a metaphor for what happens when secret places get exposed, and why some parts of the game should never be content.

• So Where Are the Best Spots Now?
  Instead of dropping a list, I give principles for finding your own places—looking beyond trendy locations and thinking about safety, culture, and sustainability first.

X - @FlyNiggaMuseum

IG - @blvck_vdvm

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@skmgcavali

Podcast Discussion Points:

• First time traveling outside the United States—headed to Thailand.

• Why a Black man from Bed‑Stuy decided to travel to Thailand to fight.

• Growing up in the projects in Bed-Stuy.

• How the Five Percent Nation and kung fu helped give William a foundation in life.

• William’s background in full-contact martial arts tournaments in New York City.

• William’s Muay Thai background in NYC, and the key differences between training in the States and in Thailand.

• William’s initial interest in fighting in Thailand.

• How having connections in Thailand helped William find the right gym.

• How William is preparing for his fight on March 12, 2026.

• William’s advice for fighters coming out to Thailand.

• William making friends with Thais and other foreigners.

• Dating Thai women.

• How this trip has helped William mature as a traveler.

• Why William is not interested in living in Thailand.

• Short stories of 11 Black travelers, explorers, and hustlers from history who moved across continents long before social media

• Why Black travel history gets erased, and how knowing these names changes how you see modern modern Black travel.

Travelers discussed:

Barbara Hillary (Explorer)

Yasuke (Samurai/Warrior)

Ronald McNair (Astronaut/Physicist)

Richard Evans (Bullfighter)

Musa Kaleem (Researcher/Historian)

Phillda Ragland (Photographer)

Novell Bell (Martial Artist)

Robert Harris (Explorer)

Eugene Bullard (Pilot/Boxer)

Anthony Browder (Author/Historian/Researcher)

Frank Matthews (Drug Dealer)

- Why Mental Health is an issue for Digital Nomads

- Adjusting to Foreign Cultures as a Digital Nomad

- Signs of Depression

- Unresolved Trauma from COVID-19

- The False Realities of Travel Content Creators

- Plan for Emotional Well-Being while Nomading

- Mental Health and Consideration for Slomading

Links to travel therapists:

Kindall Tyson - Aspire Counseling & Wellness

Emily Bowland - Truman Group

Matt Walsh – On The Road Therapy

Mental Health and Emotional Wellness for Digital Nomads

• State department suspends immigrant visas and impact

• What the “visa run era” was and how Black Americans used it to stay long‑term in foreign countries.

• Why Black men living abroad need to think beyond 30/60/90‑day stamps and start planning for residency, long‑term visas, or second citizenships.

• Why the “Visa Run Era” is coming to an end

• Why living abroad on a tourist visa won’t work anymore

• Which countries should you consider for a 2nd passport or residency

In this episode of HOMEBOY AND THE PYRAMIDS – Black Men Travel Guide, we break down why the Passport Bro movement and ideology failed Black American men. We talk about how algorithms, extreme dating content, and clout chasing distorted Black men’s image overseas.

Origins of passport bros and their true intentions (dating, marriage)

The original promise vs the ugly reality of the Passport Bro movement for Black men’s image worldwide.

Early Black travelers were English teachers

Two groups that infiltrated the passport bros movement

- Sex tourist, mongers

- Content creators

Did the Passport Bros get infiltrated by the government?

Weak foundations of the ideology

Which way should so-called Black men take for travel moving forward?

Hispanic Nomad Website

PODCAST DISCUSSION POINTS:

• Alejandro’s origin story: How he started as a digital nomad

• Why finding your purpose or value as a digital nomad is crucial

• Losing control on the road — and how to regain focus

• How digital nomads can find true balance while traveling

• How to properly settle (even temporarily) in a foreign country

• Are nomads just traveling to escape their problems?

• Making real friends as a digital nomad

• How constant movement affects you mentally and spiritually

• The biggest difficulties of the digital nomad lifestyle

• Dealing with depression while living as a digital nomad

• Best cities and locations for digital nomads in 2025 (and places to avoid)

• How the travel world has permanently changed after COVID-19

• Current travel trends and personal observations in 2025

• How AI is disrupting (and transforming) the digital nomad landscape

• The most overrated travel destinations right now

• Marriage as a digital nomad: 9 years and still going strong

• The importance of language learning for long-term travelers

• Alejandro’s educational program for aspiring and struggling digital nomads

stephenstorey.com

Podcast discussion highlights:

• Starting out in the Deep South and eventually living abroad for close to a decade

• How his parents’ involvement in travel exchange programs encouraged him to see the world

• Traveling to Europe as a teenager

• Discussing his life philosophy, not seeking validation from others and living courageously

• How he is helping his students think differently and enabling them to change their lives

• The benefits of taking calculated risks

• How Tim Ferriss’s book The 4-Hour Workweek changed his life

• A decade of developing himself and brand while working in the insurance industry

• The benefits of paying for professional coaching

• Why he settled down in Bahia, Brazil and how he developed there over 6 years

• How he developed a network of friends during his first few months

• Navigating the down periods of living abroad

• Benefits of living abroad, including self-reflection

• Why he references Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to help with self-actualization

• How his educational program in insurance adjusting is enabling people to change their lives

Podcast discussion points:

• Travel experience that prepared him for Colombia

• How he started his journey in the Spanish language, while in Canada, which actually provided him with passage in Colombia.

• Benefits of language exchange programs

• Why he prefers Colombia over other Latin American countries

• Why you need Spanish if you’re going to invest in Colombia

• Arriving in 2012, and political and tourism atmosphere

• How tourism has improved over the years

• Is Colombia safe for first-time travelers?

• Advice for Colombia newbies

• Why Colombia is a low-trust society

• How have the influx of Venezuelans impacted Medellín?

• Why a lack of a middle class affects relationships with Colombians

• Dating Colombian women, and how class plays a role in relationships

• Why there is a high amount of competition among Colombian women

• How Medellín changed after COVID-19

• How the Passport Bros movement impacted tourism in Medellín

• Why you shouldn’t date women in Medellín or Cartagena (Cities where you should date Colombian women)

• Tips for meeting and dating Colombian women

• Safety in Colombia

“Guys, get your passport; you’re gonna get all the pussy you didn’t get in the States. You will live in paradise, and your life will be just like mine or what you see when you watch my videos.

Buy my digital nomad course; it will enable you to make six figures and live the travel dream. Every day out here is an adventure.”

Cousins, when it comes to life abroad and social media, ‘Don’t believe the hype!’

Many of you weren’t outside in ‘88, when Strictly Business Samurai Suzuki’s patrolled the hood, with Public Enemy’s anthem on repeat. The hook was infectious, and it told listeners that we should not believe the hype: that being the bullshit in the media, politics, and/or any slander about the group.

The hook also had a haunting loop of a soul brother wailing. It was slowed down, but jarring enough to wake your punk ass up and remind you not to believe any of the bullshit the masses were trying to push on you at the time, and basically forever.

It ain’t ‘88, but I definitely have to patrol the travel block and drop science on the Black travel community. I’m the older travel God, with seven years to this life abroad.

Social media has you gassed; many of you are hyped up, and I’m here to dispel some travel myths and call out all the folks who are lying on their dicks.

1. You’re missing out - Social media travel is kind of like reality TV years ago. You’re watching people on different platforms, and their job is to make you think that their lives are very interesting. You’re watching them instead of going out in the world for yourself. Life abroad is filled with difficulties. Your favorite social media personality often edits their darkest moments and failures. Take care of your shit; focus on your purpose. Your time for travel will come when you are ready, and if it is even necessary.

2. You need to get a passport to have a fulfilling travel experience - This isn’t true. One of my most significant travel experiences was leaving NYC and heading to Atlanta in the ‘90s. The ATL was the new Black Mecca, and it was a wonderful time to be alive. Although I’ve traveled around the globe, the most interesting thing I’ve ever seen with my own two eyes is the Grand Canyon, and if you’re a Black American who believes that you might be indigenous, that place will speak to your soul. Traveling within your own country is just as enlightening.

3. Travel cures depression - We’re all a bit crazy, but the pandemic fucked a lot of us up even more so, and many brothers participated in “Revenge Travel,” hopping on the first flight out of the country without actually doing any healing and knowing where they were going in life. Traveling won’t fix your problems. Sit with yourself and deal with your stuff, and despite what Andrew Tate says, therapy can help. I know.

4. Black travel is something new — Crazy thing about travel and social media. You see all the stuff on the vlogs now? The YouTuber who had a taco in every city in Mexico? The lady who visited every country on the planet? All of that was done a decade ago. It wasn’t on YouTube, but it was actually featured on blogs. Before that, much of it was on MySpace. Really, the first Passport Bro (he didn’t refer to himself as a Passport Bro) I ever met was a guy named Shawn Don, who had pics of himself and international shorties on his MySpace page back in 2010. Brothers been out the door for a minute. I’ve mentioned several times that the first time I heard about anyone going to Brazil was 1997. Still looking for that Maxim magazine article from the turn of the century that featured the brother traveling around Europe in a hot air balloon.

5. Paradise abroad — There have been people in the social media world, and many who are so-called Black men, who’ve tried to sell you on a location, presenting it as an ongoing paradise. If you go to YouTube, you’ll see a number of people admitting that places like Thailand aren’t sustainable long term. In fact, recent reports suggest that a high percentage of foreigners who move there, don’t make it. Timing is everything with travel. Many of us so-called Black men missed the golden years to experience Thailand, which was in full effect in the ‘90s to mid-2000s. Many of the places being advertised heavily on social media have had their day.

6. You can escape racism - As long as there are Caucasians on this planet who believe they are so-called White people and the rest of the people in the world subscribe to their color coding fantasy, there will be racism. We’re all looking for less of it, but yeah, White Jesus is in the so-called motherland, amongst the descendants of the Mayans and out in Asia, Buddha’s image has been lightened. So yeah son, whatever.

7. Africa is the motherland — A number of Black Americans are doing the knowledge to so-called African American history and the slave trade, and as one brother in Harlem mentioned, “the math ain’t mathing.” Many of us have come to the realization that we have not only been in America but other parts of the Earth. As I have traveled around this planet, I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to decrypt portions of the out of Africa story. The so-called motherland is a middle chapter in a larger portion of this history of the so-called Black man on this planet.

8. You’ll get better women abroad — Yeah, you can buy better pussy, but the woman who will be your girlfriend or woman - she will be the equivalent of what you have had back home. If you’ve never had a woman or a solid relationship in the States, don’t expect anything different abroad.

9. The digital nomad lifestyle is functional - Internet stays talking. The word, from myself and other experienced travelers who became digital nomads unintentionally years ago: The lifestyle is actually dysfunctional. The remote work lifestyle became popular after 2007 thanks to Tim Ferris’ book THE 4 HOUR WORK WEEK, which created the illusion of life abroad and an ongoing vacation. A number of nomads have come to the realization that the digital nomad lifestyle doesn’t really work long term; in fact, it creates dysfunctional habits for travelers. Choose a country and plant your flag. Moving around every few months prevents you from maturing as a traveler.

10. You need to be where everyone else is - When it comes to travel, truthfully, you want to avoid any hotspots. As I’ve previously mentioned, my people, we arrive at places late and by that time, the best years at that spot are already done. Don’t believe me, check out what happened to Tulum. What is currently happening with Black folks inundating cities in Thailand. While you’re plotting your journey, avoid the crowd, and plant your flag somewhere before too many people get there.

11. Black folks will have your back abroad — Honestly, you can join all of the Black Facebook groups in any foreign city if you want, but when shit goes down, your tribe will consist of people from various races and ethnicities. When I have been down and out abroad, helping hands have included a female Maori from New Zealand, a so-called redneck from the South, a Chinese explorer, and a DJ in the favela. Not saying Black folks will write you off, but your travel tribe is from every walk of life.

Remember cousins, the goal of content creators is to entertain you. If any traveler has a place that was really good, they would go out of their way to keep it to themselves. If they had any sense. That’s my spin around this travel block, and for this build, I’m Harry Allen, the media assassin, warning you about travel entertainment and the shit that don’t sound right when it comes to life abroad and influencers: “Don’t believe the hype!”

WORDS: ILLMATICAL

IMAGE: MIDJOURNEY

Podcast discussion points:

• Everton’s Performance Résumé and Dance Companies: Sekou McMiller, Santo Rico, Dance On 2, La Fuerza, FnF, Kingsmen, and Empire Mambo (Adolfo Indacochea)

• His introduction to Mambo and Latin dance

• Advice for Mambo newbies: education, learning, and what to look for in a school and instructors

• How to break out of “Salsa Hell”

• Changes in NYC’s Mambo scene over the last 15 years

• #MeToo and sexual assault in the Mambo community

• Experiencing resentment and having to prove himself as a Black American

• Understanding the Mambo/Latin subculture: hobby, sport, exercise, social activity

• Understanding what your goals are when you come into the Mambo scene

• Dancing in different countries and cities

• What happened to bachata over the years, the rise of sensual bachata, and the fusion of zouk

• Teachers who made an impact on him as a dancer

• Making friends overseas

• Budgeting for dance education

Stefan Grant on X

Podcast discussion points:

• How Noirbnb creates a global community for Black culture and travel.

• The inception of Noirbnb and experiences of discrimination on Airbnb.

• How Stefan transformed a negative situation into a viral travel story.

• Benefits of using Noirbnb for Black travelers.

• How COVID-19 impacted travel.

• Predictions for the future of Airbnb.

• Reflections on the hashtag #AirbnbWhileBlack.

• Discussions about Black American travel movements.

• How the digital nomad and remote work lifestyle have become normalized.

https://nostalgiaking.com

Podcast Discussion Points:

• The origins of hip-hop from a Philadelphia perspective.

• How Philadelphia is an underappreciated contributor to hip-hop culture.

• Earliest experiences traveling as a DJ in the early 2000s.

• How movies and TV helped him understand international cultures.

• International interpretations of hip-hop.

• How Black American military personnel were among the first to spread music culture abroad.

• How the Japanese preserve Black American music culture—arguably better than Black Americans.

• How to adapt to different cultures while traveling.

• Preparation for performing in different cities.

• The best countries and cities for hip-hop and Black culture abroad.

• How he uses hip-hop to connect and make friends around the world.

• How hip-hop has evolved over the years and where he sees it going globally.

• Reddit Sub Discussion on Black American Travelers Not Keeping It Real About Racism in East Asia and Southeast Asia

• My observations after living in Asia for 4.5 years (China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Cambodia). Racism out there is real, but different dependent on the country.

• Do Black Americans get a pass in Asia? Are there class issues?

• Are Black American content creators avoiding topics about racism to gain more views?

• Was there a difference in Black American travel content pre-COVID-

• How are Africans treated in East Asia compared to Black Americans.

• Despite the racism, why do African men do well for themselves in Asia?

• My experience with harsh racism in Southeast Asia.

• Black travelers aren't taught that tipping or paying people off is part of travel culture, especially for Americans."

• You will take losses when you’re on the road.

• Despite research, you will get scammed.

• Get use to paying people off while traveling.

• If you live abroad, and you have a business, you will have to take some financial hits. Get over it!

• Be prepared to grease palms while you’re on the road!

Nuclear Caudillo Youtube

Nuclear Caudillo on X

Podcast discussion points:

• Learning how to dance (Salsa, Bachata)

• Breaking Out of Salsa Hell (Learning Curve)

• Why Do Women Learn Latin Dance Faster?

• How Do Women Approach Latin Dance Circles?

• Why Are Dance Scenes Full of Toxic Energy?

• What Are Realistic Expectations for Men entering a Latin Dance community?

• How to Approach and Make Friends in a Salsa Community

• What Types of Women Will You Find in a Latin Dance Scene?

• How to Deal with the Haters!

BOWTIED PASSPORT NEWSLETTER (Controversial Newsletter for Expats & Nomads)

Article: How to Break Into a City’s Social Scene

Article: Building a Social Circle Abroad

Podcast Discussion Points:

• Finding local events

• Key people to connect with in a new city

• How to build relationships

• Strategies to make yourself valuable at social gatherings

• Social strategies for introverts

• Crafting your persona and presence in a new city

• Choosing the right women (being selective)

• Using social media to meet high-quality women

• Avoiding burnout