Rolf Potts

Rolf Potts is an influential American travel writer, essayist, and podcaster known for his contributions to the world of travel literature and the digital nomad movement. With five notable books to his name, including *Vagabonding* (2003), *Marco Polo Didn’t Go There* (2008), *Souvenir* (2018), and *The Vagabond’s Way* (2022), Potts has profoundly impacted how people perceive and experience long-term travel. His seminal work, *Vagabonding*, has been credited with shaping the philosophy of modern digital nomadism, advocating for a lifestyle of long-term, self-directed travel.

Potts’s writing extends beyond books; his essay “Storming ‘The Beach'” was selected by Bill Bryson for inclusion in *The American Travel Writing 2000*. He has also made appearances in several prominent documentaries, including the 2007 National Geographic Adventure series *Odyssey: Driving Around the World* and the 2013 film *Gringo Trails*, which examines the effects of tourism on global destinations.

In academia, Potts served as the ArtsEdge Writer-in-Residence at the University of Pennsylvania’s Kelly Writers House for the 2011-2012 academic year and has taught nonfiction writing at Yale University. He also directs annual summer writing workshops in Paris, sharing his expertise with aspiring writers.

When he’s not traveling, Potts resides in a small farmhouse on 30 acres in rural north-central Kansas with his wife, actress Kristen Bush. His work continues to inspire and guide travelers and writers around the world.