No Fixed Address Podcast: The World’s Most Extraordinary People
No Fixed Address takes you around the globe, from bustling megacities to the secluded corners of remote villages, in search of the planet’s most extraordinary people.
Each episode is an adventure, taking you to a jungle in the middle of Indonesia to a tent in the Middle East where host Michael Motamedi arrives, microphone in hand, ready to delve into the lives of remarkable individuals.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or an armchair explorer, these conversations will transport you to far-away places where we celebrate our fellow humans and the common ground that unites us all.
Meet the Artist Transforming Curacao's Capital into a Masterpiece
In the middle of Willemstad, there’s a building that’ll make you stop in your tracks. It takes up a whole corner, and every inch is drenched in color. This is Francis Sling’s world—he calls it 'artcave.' Inside, dried flowers hang from the ceiling, painted ones cover the walls, doors are used as tables, and there’s even a sofa on wheels. Oh, and the ceiling? It’s covered in poetry.
I accidentally spill something, and he responds by dumping his whole glass of water on the floor, saying, “There are no rules here.” It’s a philosophy that spills over into the many murals he’s created throughout the capital, each one carrying a deeper message—a call to unravel your mind if you dare to reflect.
Tune in as Francis Sling invites us into a world beyond the ordinary. What’s waiting on the other side?
SHOW NOTES:
Learn more about Francis Sling on Instagram (@francissling).
Curacao’s Herbalist on Must-Have Healing Plants for Your Home
Today, we’re chatting with Marerly Sambo, or as she’s better known, the Universal Alchemist. She’s a microbiologist and herbalist who’s passionate about creating healing potions to support her community. We’ll dive into the magic of the island, the one herb she says you should always have in your kitchen, and the biggest lesson she’s learned after 10 years of helping people.
SHOW NOTES:
Learn more about Marerly Sambo on Instagram (@uni.alchemist).
Unlock Your Travel Quest with Amateur Traveler’s Chris Christensen
Today, we’re speaking with Travel Expert Chris Christensen. Chris is a travel blogger, and long-time host of The Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast. Whether you’re a beginner traveler who just wants a vacation or a travel pro ready for an exotic location, Chris has a destination for you. Tune in to hear Chris’s top travel tips, how setting up ‘quests’ can make your travels more enjoyable, and if you’re not a fan of cruises - Chris might just change your mind!
Fabien Cousteau: The Ocean Pioneer Building an Underwater Station in Curaçao
Beneath the waves, somewhere off the coast of Curaçao, renowned aquanaut Fabien Cousteau is building the International Space Station of the ocean. Well, he hasn’t quite started building yet but if all goes as planned, he aims to open the doors to his modular state of the art facility in 2027.
Tune in to hear about how his grandfather, the famous oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, inspired his passion for the sea. You’ll also hear about the time he built a shark submarine to swim with great whites and his exciting vision for the future — spoiler alert: it involves a lot of underwater habitats!
The Journey of a Lifetime: Pelumi Nubi’s Road Trip from London to Lagos
Our first visit to London, UK did NOT disappoint. We sat down with Pelumi Nubi, a travel content creator and the first solo Black woman to drive from London, UK to Lagos, Nigeria - a journey that took her across 17 countries. Tune in to hear about the highs and lows of Pelumi’s 73 day long road trip, which of the stops along the way blew her away, which destinations she advises solo female travelers to be wary of traveling to alone, and how she hopped on the iron ore train in Mauritania to ride atop coal for 12 hours. Plus, Pelumi talks about how she left a career in biomedicine to pursue travel full time, why Black representation is important for the solo traveler (and overlander) community, and her favorite underrated destinations in Europe and Africa.
Travel Expert Bruce Wallin: The Key to Great Travel Experiences On Any Budget
Today, we’re speaking with Luxury Travel Expert Bruce Wallin. Bruce is an award-winning editor, writer, producer, and a leading voice in luxury travel and media. Tune in to hear Bruce’s top travel tips, his thoughts on how travel has changed over the years, and the benefits of traveling abroad with your children. Plus, Bruce shares what he thinks the future of travel will look like, his favorite travel destinations, and tells us all about a $325,000 extreme adventure he sampled that is a once in a lifetime experience.
In Curaçao, a Lionfish Huntress is on a Mission to Save the Seas
Curaçao’s Cas Abao beach is a sight to behold — crystal clear waters and glowing white sand stretch for miles, inviting visitors to relax and soak in the island's serene beauty. But deep below the surface, Lisette Keus is on the hunt for lionfish, an invasive species threatening the island’s native sea life.
We’re waiting on the beach, recorder in hand, when she comes out with about 40 lionfish — all of which will be made into ceviche *and* earrings. Tune in to hear what makes Curaçao so special, why you should start eating lionfish and why you may have to get out of your comfort zone to find your passion.
This Photographer Captures Philippine Indigenous Communities
Photographer Jacob Maentz takes us on a journey to Olango island in the Philippines where we get a rare look at a seaside community largely responsible for the beachy home decor sold at your local Walmart. Right then and there, we dive deep into Jacob’s experiences with the 40+ indigenous communities he’s photographed over the last decade.
Jacob tells us about their connection to the land, their life and struggles, all while sitting around a gambling table on a street corner in a tiny village at the edge of the world.
Can Cuteness Make You a Better Person? This Expert in Japan says ‘Yes!’
We're in Harajuku, Japan's capital of cuteness, to meet Joshua Paul Dale, a professor in Cuteness Studies and a leading authority on everything cute. Everywhere we turn, something adorable catches our eye. We can't resist smiling at the bunny-shaped cotton candy, and when we pass a mini pig café, Vanessa exclaims, "I just want to squish them!" Joshua assures us this reaction is completely normal. He breaks down what happens in our brains when we see something cute, how it charms us, and its influence on our everyday lives.
How I Ended Up in an LA Dive Bar with Grammy Winner Macy Gray
It’s 9pm in Los Angeles and we’re driving up Macy Gray’s driveway blasting a song off her new album. This is the latest we’ve ever recorded an interview for the podcast and when we walk in, Macy is watching a crime documentary and there’s Frosted Flakes on the counter. Safe to say, things are about to get personal. Tune in to hear Macy’s thoughts on the music industry, her favorite comedy club in LA, why social media ruins everything and the one moment that changed Macy’s life for good.
Could Bamboo Save the World? A Builder in Bali is Leading the Way
This episode was recorded in a magical fairy land. Well, not really but we *are* at Bambu Indah Hotel in Bali, which is plucked right out of a storybook. We’re here with John and Orin Hardy, renowned leaders in bamboo construction, getting a sneak peak at their new expansion. We talk bamboo, why you should recycle your chopsticks and the future of humankind (no biggie).
How a Balinese Farmer Built a Coffee Empire from Poop
When she was just a little girl, Ayu Sudana used to fill buckets of Asian palm civet poop in exchange for toys. Today, she’s the proud co-founder of Bali Beans — a plantation, a roastery, a coffee shop and distribution house. For this week’s episode, we’re going to her plantation, in the heart of Bali’s coffee growing region, to try the world’s most expensive coffee for ourselves — Kopi Luwak. Bali Beans is one of the island’s only coffee growers that harvests Kopi Luwak in the wild, which means we’re out in the field looking for poop. Come along! It smells divine!
Why This CEO Ditched Corporate to Build a Retreat in Bali
We’re in a magical place, surrounded by Bali’s lush green forests looking for Will Travis, the brains behind Elevation Barn — a transformative retreat for the world’s top leaders. We talk about the power of fear, today’s confidence crisis, and why Bali is the perfect place to reinvigorate your purpose. Plus, you’ll want to hear the piece of advice that changed Will’s life forever.
For this Top Chef Judge in Bali, Street Food is about Survival
From roadside warungs to bustling markets, Will Meyrick, who is known as “The Street Food Chef,” is taking us to his favorite haunts and hidden gems in Denpasar, where the real magic happens. Chef Meyrick isn’t just here to show us where to eat – he’s our ticket to an insider’s look at Balinese culture. Tune in to hear Michael, Vanessa, and Will talk about how spirituality is a big facet of how Will runs his restaurants, and how Asian culture inspired his passion for food.
We’re at Dubai’s newest beach, Dubai Islands Beach, where Shehab Allam is diving in the water, handcuffed and cuffed at the legs. He’s aiming to break a Guinness World Record for the farthest swim wearing handcuffs and leg irons. The “how” might seem straightforward but the “why”… That’s a story that will keep you captivated until the very end. Tune in to hear Michael, Vanessa, and Shehab talk about how the parental figures in our lives can be our biggest motivators, and how the legendary cinema we consume can inspire greatness within us.
This Falconer Lives with 37 Birds in the Dubai Desert
We learn about ancient falconry traditions from Dubai Falconer Henri Du Toit of Platinum Heritage Desert Camp, the profound connection between man and bird, and why watching Netflix with your falcon might just be the ultimate relationship hack.
SHOW NOTES:Learn more about Platinum Heritage Desert Camp at platinum-heritage.com, or check them out on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Introducing "No Fixed Address: The World's Most Extraordinary People"
Explore the globe with ‘No Fixed Address,’ where Michael Motamedi and Vanessa Salas take you from vibrant megacities to remote villages, uncovering extraordinary lives and unifying human stories. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts for more captivating adventures, with new episodes releasing every other Thursday. And for more on ‘No Fixed Address’ visit matadornetwork.com/NFApodcast
ABOUT THE HOSTS
Michael Motamedi
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Michael settled for a time in Europe, before co-founding the Baffi Collection and Parcae in Toronto. His culinary skills, highlighted on MasterChef Canada, inspired his next creation, The Ultimate Cutting Board. In 2016, he joined Rabbit Hole Spirits in Kentucky as CMO and shareholder, then shifted to real estate becoming a developer at Genevive Hotel and other projects. Now traveling with his family, Michael’s life journey, documented on TikTok and Instagram, has attracted over 50M+ views.
Vanessa Salas
Born in Colombia, Vanessa lived in 25 places by age 25, reflecting her early love for travel, which led her across Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. Her passion for storytelling led her to produce science, tech and nature documentaries at Discovery Channel Canada. Her career journey continued at CBSi’s CNET as a Content Producer and then at Rabbit Hole Spirits as an Executive Producer. Today, Vanessa continues her nomadic journey working remotely in interior design, producing travel content, and expanding her art portfolio.