How a Cross-Continental Road Trip Became a Book- Matt Savino on Courage, Curiosity & Starting Anyway

Episode Summary 

In this episode of A Joyful Rebellion, James sits down with writer, programmer, photographer, stand-up comedian, and self-described “professional dabbler” Matt Savino to unpack the winding path behind his debut book A Land Without a Continent. What starts as a practical decision to drive his Toyota FJ Cruiser through Central America turns into a life-shifting adventure spanning border crossings, unexpected friendships, creative breakthroughs, and even getting stranded during a political uprising in Nicaragua.

Matt opens up about what it takes to turn lived chaos into a compelling narrative, how comedy and poker shaped his resilience, why landscape photography taught him to chase the story, and the moment he realized writing wasn’t just a project — it was a calling. From navigating roadblocks guarded by student revolutionaries to learning the discipline of descriptive writing, Matt shares an honest look at creativity, curiosity, and what happens when you finally decide to “get on the mountain.”

Whether you’re dreaming of a big adventure or sitting on a creative idea you’ve been avoiding, this conversation will nudge you to start.

Show Notes and Chapters

00:00 – The Power of Just Starting

01:00 – Who Is Matt Savino? Physics, Comedy & Professional Dabbling

02:00 – Life Paths, Career Pivots & Creative Curiosity

03:00 – From Stand-Up to Programming: Finding Flow State

05:00 – Poker, Tilt, and Why Emotional Fitness Matters

07:00 – Discovering Landscape Photography & Adventure Travel

08:30 – Why Matt Decided to Drive to South America

10:00 – The Plan, the Layoff & the Push to Go

12:00 – Travel Writing, Bill Bryson, and Learning to Tell a Story

14:00 – Getting Stranded in Nicaragua During an Uprising

16:00 – Talking His Way Through Roadblocks & Type-2 Fun

18:00 – Learning to Write Descriptively (and the “bugaboo”)

21:00 – The Value of a Writing Coach & Structured Accountability

23:00 – James & Matt Swap Book-Writing Lessons

26:00 – Creativity, Voice, and Building a Book From Chaos

28:00 – The Behind-the-Scenes of Publishing and Editing

31:00 – Image Licensing, Kindle Issues & Hybrid Publishing

34:00 – The Emotional Rollercoaster of Finishing a Book

36:00 – Planning the Next Adventure: South America

38:00 – Fear, Purpose, and Choosing a Life With Momentum

39:00 – Marketing, Superfans, and Letting the Next Story Begin

40:00 – Home - Matt Savino and Where to Follow the Journey

41:00 – Final Thoughts: “Just Get On the Mountain”

Resources 

• Matt’s Website: Home - Matt Savino

• Book: A Land Without a Continent

• Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods