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The Maverick Show: Global Travel Stories & Life Beyond Borders

Tequila Trains, Volcano Pizza, Rainbow Mountains, and Kenyan Safaris with Sojourner White

·59 min·5 clips
Sojourner White explains how conversations on the African continent about Black American identity reveal untold narratives.
The episode begins with Sojourner White reflecting on Pan-Africanism and diaspora connections. Host Matt Bowles introduces the show and his newsletter. Sojourner explains how a pandemic-era Google search led her to book the California Zephyr Amtrak train, sparking her 'train travel queen' persona. Matt shares his own similar story of planning a month-long US train trip with Nora Dunn after a virtual interview. Sojourner describes the Jose Cuervo Express tequila train in Mexico, where she took shots at 9am and joined a group of strangers. She details scenic train rides in Peru, including the Vistadome and Titicaca trains with entertainment like Pisco sour classes. Sojourner recounts the difficult Rainbow Mountain hike in Peru, where altitude forced her to accept help. She talks about hiking Volcano Pacaya in Guatemala and eating pizza made on the volcano. Her trip to Panama involved a food tour and monkey island visit. Sojourner won a mentorship trip to Kenya with Intrepid Travel and Nomadness Travel Tribe, going on safari with Black and brown creators. She compares Johannesburg's Black-majority streets and historical sites to Cape Town's touristy vibe in South Africa. The conversation delves into diaspora dynamics, privilege, and conscious travel. Sojourner explains how travel boosted her confidence and broadened her perspective on Blackness. She emphasizes making travel more accessible and applying social work principles to tourism. The episode ends with a lightning round where Sojourner recommends books, names Onika the Traveler as a dream dinner guest, and lists Cartagena, Kenyan safaris, and the tequila train as top destinations.

As heard by us

A first altitude hike, volcano-made pizza, and a thoughtful case for travel as a way to listen across lives.

Guatemala gives the conversation its clearest image: Sojourner White hiking Acatenango for six hours on her first altitude hike, then heading back out two days later while still healing to take on Pacaya with a guide and eat pizza cooked on the volcano.

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Why you'd press play

You want a volcano hike in Guatemala to turn into pizza cooked on Pacaya, with chocolate, stray dogs, and a photo because nobody would believe you otherwise.

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