About Scott
Writing about yourself in the third person feels a bit like reading your own obituary while you’re still very much alive. So let’s skip the formalities and pretend we’re just having a conversation — you curious about who I am, and me trying to explain it without sounding like a résumé.
I grew up in central Ohio, spending an unreasonable amount of time with a trombone in my hands and eventually marching with the Ohio University Marching 110. Somewhere between the funking and the blisters, I fell in love with the “how” and “why” of humanity. That curiosity carried me through a BA in History and an MA from Marshall University over a course of 22 messy years. It wasn’t a straight path, but it was mine.
For most of my life, the world felt far away. It was something other people got to experience, not me. But once I finally stepped into that life, I realized how hungry I was to understand the world firsthand. I’ve been chasing a particular kind of light ever since: the blend of curiosity and compassion shared by my two North Stars, Rick Steves and Anthony Bourdain. I’m trying to build something that sits between them. Something that honors the beauty, complexity, and often messy contradictions of the world we all call home.
The Why Behind Scott Abroad
Here’s the part I used to avoid saying out loud: I am a deeply broken person. For a long time, I felt out of sync with my own life. I tried to fit into molds that never suited me, followed expectations that weren’t mine, and carried around a quiet ache for the family I never had. The truth is, the thing I wanted most — children — never happened. It left me feeling like I’d failed at something everyone else seemed to do without thinking. Even Stalin had kids! From a biological success standpoint, I am less than Stalin! Okay, that’s slightly dramatic, but you get my point.
But here’s the other truth: that brokenness pushed me toward something else. It drove me to a different kind of life, one rooted in curiosity, movement, and meaning. If I wasn’t going to build a family in the traditional sense, then I was going to build a life that felt authentically mine.
Asia became the center of that search. As a person, I have always been fascinated by Asia. As a historian, I’ve always argued that the arc of human history bends towards Asia. From the Silk Road to modern cargo routes, Asia is the beating heart of human history and that of the world today. I wanted to understand and live more of that with my own feet on the ground.
So I “retired” early, not from work, but from the life I thought I was supposed to live. Now I’m traveling, learning, writing, and trying to make sense of the world and my place in it. And if I’m lucky, maybe I can help other people who feel a little out of step find their own version of home along the way.
Thanks for being here. This journey is my attempt at healing — and maybe, in some small way, yours too.
Travel stories
Every place has a heartbeat, and usually, it’s found in the places tourists overlook. Whether I’m navigating the sensory overload of a Thai market or the stillness of a Japanese neighborhood, I write to find the common threads that bind us all together. These stories are my way of making sense of the world—and maybe helping you find your own place in it, too.
Cultural insights
I’ve spent my life studying history, but I’ve learned that culture isn’t just found in dusty archives—it’s alive in the way a street vendor hands you your change or the silence in a Shinto shrine. I don’t just “delve” into traditions; I try to sit with them. My goal is to peel back the layers of the places I visit, finding the “why” behind the customs so we can move beyond being mere tourists and start being citizens in a global community.
Adventure highlights
I’ve traded the security of a predictable life for the beautiful uncertainty of the unknown. For me, adventure isn’t just about the rush of a night market or the scale of an ancient ruin—it’s about the moments that challenge my perspective and force me to grow. These highlights are the milestones of my journey, from the literal earthquakes of Southeast Asia to the quiet bravery of starting over in a new country. They are proof that it’s never too late to change your rhythm and find a new way to step.
Join the journey
I’m not here to tell you where to vacation; I’m here to share a messy, honest, and culturally-informed quest for a life that finally feels in sync. Whether you’re a fellow “out-of-step” soul, a history buff, or just someone who wonders what it’s really like to start over in a new corner of the world, I’d love to have you along. Subscribe to get my latest musings and stories of life abroad delivered straight to your inbox. Let’s find our way together.
