Go behind the scenes in Hollywood, discover the art of meaningful travel storytelling, and hear epic adventures abroad. Nabil Kazi shares his journey from growing up between Pakistani and American cultures to becoming a Hollywood executive at Disney, Pixar, Fox, and Illumination. He reflects on the art of travel storytelling, the importance of connecting with local communities, and the ethical responsibilities travelers have when documenting other cultures. Nabil then takes us behind the scenes of his entertainment career, from bringing Disney to India and Vietnam to working with Steve Jobs at Pixar, befriending Kobe Bryant, and helping Michael Jackson’s children after their father’s death. He also shares stories from his athletic adventures, including completing two Ironman triathlons in Brazil, summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, and trekking to Everest Base Camp through relentless rain. Finally, he explains what inspired him to leave Hollywood behind and embark on a new chapter of full-time world travel.
From Disney & Pixar to Kilimanjaro & Everest Base Camp: Nabil Kazi on Storytelling for Travelers (Ep 414)
Episode Summary
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About the Guest
Nabil Kazi
Nabil Kazi is a global marketing and entertainment executive, world traveler, and the current Executive Vice President of Marketing and Brand Development at Watermelon Pictures, a film company dedicated to amplifying Palestinian and other underrepresented voices. Born in Kuwait to Pakistani parents, Nabil grew up mostly in the United States and went on to build an extraordinary career at Disney, Pixar, 20th Century Fox, and Illumination, helping to bring iconic films and franchises like Toy Story, The Incredibles, The Simpsons, and Despicable Me to global audiences. He is also a marathon runner, Ironman finisher, and a passionate world traveler who has visited 153 countries on his quest to visit every country in the world.
What You'll Learn
- How to tell compelling travel stories that foster meaningful cultural connections while respecting local communities.
- Behind-the-scenes stories from Disney and Pixar, including working with Steve Jobs, befriending Kobe Bryant, and bringing Disney to Asia.
- What Nabil learned from completing Ironman triathlons, summiting Kilimanjaro, trekking to Everest Base Camp, and leaving Hollywood to travel the world.
Links From the Episode
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you click through any links and make a purchase, you should assume that Maverick will receive financial compensation (at no additional cost to you). We greatly appreciate you using our affiliate links because it helps to support the show and cover production costs of the podcast.
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OTHER MAVERICK SHOW PODCAST GUEST MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
CONTACT AND FOLLOW NABIL
LOCATION WHERE THE INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE
- Bangkok (Thailand)
FILM STUDIOS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
COMPANIES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- ABC NEWS
- Amazon
- ESPN
- Hot Wheels
- Miramax
- Netflix
- The Walt Disney Company
- The Wall Street Journal
- Time Magazine
CHARACTERS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Andrew Stanton
- Bill Clinton
- Bob Iger
- David Stern
- Ed Catmull
- Frank Wells
- John Lasseter
- Kobe Bryant
- Michael Jackson
- Michael O. Johnson
- Pete Docter
- Rita Wilson
- Steve Jobs
- Teri Hatcher
- Tom Hanks
- Wes Craven
FILMS AND SHOWS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- A Bug’s Life
- Aladdin
- Avatar
- Cars
- Desparate Housewives
- Despicable Me
- The Lion King
- Little Mermaid
- Minions
- Modern Family
- Rapunzel
- Scream
- Tangled
- The Incredibles
- The Princess and the Frog
- The Simpsons
- Toy Story
EVENTS IN WHICH NABIL PARTICIPATED
MUSIC ARTISTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
INSTITUTION MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
THEME PARK MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
LANGUAGES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN CALIFORNIA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN INDIA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
OTHER PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Bali (Indonesia)
- Bangkok (Thailand)
- Beirut (Lebanon)
- Brazil
- California
- Cleveland (Ohio)
- Damascus
- Everest Base Camp
- Kabul (Afghanistan)
- Karachi (Pakistan)
- Kathmandu (Nepal)
- Kuwait
- Hanoi (Vietnam)
- Hong Kong
- India
- Lan Kwai Fong (Hong Kong)
- Libya
- London
- Malaysia
- Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)
- New Zealand
- Oregon
- Pakistan
- Portugal
- Sahara Desert
- Sri Lanka
- Taupō (New Zealand)
- Texas
- The Maldives
- Vietnam
Time Stamped Show Notes
**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.
[0:45] Introducing Nabil Kazi
[2:11] Storytelling for Travelers
[11:16] Nabil’s Upbringing and Family Background
[18:20] Traveling Back to Pakistan for His Sister’s Wedding
[19:42] Visiting His Sister in London
[20:27] Reflections on Growing Up Between Cultures
[21:24] Becoming Captivated by Disney
[22:16] DJing in College
[25:47] Working for Disney in Hong Kong in the 1990s and Managing 4 Countries
[31:24] Bringing the Disney Brand into India and Pakistan
[33:19] Bringing the Disney Brand into Vietnam as the US Embargo was Lifted
[36:58] Returning to Los Angeles and Working with Pixar on Toy Story
[43:03] Elements of a Story that Connect with Audiences Across Cultures
[46:37] Nabil’s Relationship with Kobe Bryant
[51:55] Working with Tom Hanks
[52:30] Babysitting Michael Jackson’s Kids
[54:55] Leading the Disney Triathlon Team for 8 Years and Raising $2 Million
[57:02] Training Terry Hatcher from Desperate Housewives to Do Her First Triathlon
[58:00] Completing 2 Iron Mans in Brazil
[1:01:23] Why Summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro Was So Special
[1:03:36] Trekking to Everest Basecamp
[1:06:30] Choosing to Leave Disney and Travel the World Full Time
[1:08:37] Follow and Contact Nabil
