Episode 197: Get Lost In Vietnam with Kevin Murphy & Tom Weiser

“Culture is something that you experience not look at.”

— Tom Weiser

Kevin Murphy and Tom Weiser are the co-founders of Nerpa Travel, an adventure travel company built around small groups, sustainable vehicles, and real cultural connection. Before launching Nerpa, both spent years working in the adventure travel world with The Adventurists, helping run events like the Mongol Rally, where participants drive tiny cars thousands of miles with no set route and very little support. Those years gave them the kind of confidence that only comes from solving real problems in unpredictable places.

In this episode, Kevin and Tom share how their own paths led them into adventure travel. Tom’s journey began with a fascination for Russian language and culture, eventually leading him to work at the Mongol Rally finish line in Russia. Kevin’s route started with travel, wildlife photography, and a life-changing diagnosis that redirected how he pursued adventure. Together, their friendship, field experience, and shared values became the foundation for Nerpa Travel.

This conversation explores what it means to build a company around meaningful adventure, not just checking places off a list. Scott, Kevin, and Tom talk about sustainable travel, electric motorbikes in Vietnam, small-group experiences, cultural exchange, and why the best travel stories often come from the moments you could never fully plan. It is a conversation about getting outside, taking risks, and creating space for the kind of stories you will carry for years.

Scott, Kevin, and Tom also discuss: