Episode Description: 

Have you ever thought about living abroad? If so, in which country would you reside? This week’s guest on S.T.A.R.V.E. Talk made his home in South Korea and has never looked back. Meet Phil, “The Blerd Explorer.” Blerd, (Black nerd), is not only embracing living abroad, but is now on a personal mission to help others live an Ex-Pat lifestyle. In this episode of S.T.A.R.V.E. Talk, The Blerd Explorer, shares with host J Haleem, his background in travel, the hardships he’s experienced since moving to South Korea, and why more minorities need to travel and leave their city and state. 

Show Notes: 

1:37 - J Haleem welcomes Phil, “The Blerd Explorer,” to S.T.A.R.V.E. Talk 

2:03 - The Blerd Explorer shares his back story of getting into traveling and being inspired by a show on The Cartoon Network 

4:22 - Recounting his 1st trip to S. Korea 

5:12 - After visiting S. Korea, The Blerd Explorer shared what made him want to travel to other countries 

5:54 - The Blerd Explorer shares more on why he chose to write a book for Black people to travel 

7:27 - The Blerd Explorer shares the benefit of encouraging Black people not only to visit, but live in S. Korea 

8:07 -Seoul is an “underrated” city according to The Blerd Explorer, but it has many benefits and features 

9:36 - J Haleem shares an idea with The Blerd Explorer about interacting more with the American military 

10:18 - The Blerd Explorer shares the top three hardships he endured by moving to Seoul 

11:45 - Success as a first-time author 

13:54 - The Blerd Explorer answers an important question, is Korean fried chicken the same as American?

14:58 - The Blerd Explorer shares the approach to his second book, which was to include stories of other Black people living in S. Korea 

17:42 - Launching a business in South Korea 

19:35 - Why most Americans will never leave their city or state 

20:45 - Navigating coming back to the States 

22:43 - Having a stronger peace of mind living abroad 

24:27 - Encouraging others to take the risk & explore the world 

26:07 - Opportunities African-Americans can take advantage of in their jobs & careers

27:30 - Managing COVID in S. Korea

30:07 - Where did the name “The Blerd Explorer,” came from? 

30:49 - Is it now cool to be a “nerd?” 

32:18 - The Blerd Explorer speaks on the content he’s creating

33:18 - Where did The Blerd Explorer’s name come from? 

34:30 - What S.T.A.R.V.E. Talk means to him?

35:36 - The process of book publishing internationally

Connect with The Blerd Explorer 

IG - @theblerdexplorer 

TikTok - @theblerdexplorer