Mungo McCosh: Going Off the Beaten Track, Building an Audience, and Living Authentically Online

Travel creator Mungo McCosh (70,000 followers) breaks down how living differently, thinking independently, and embracing discomfort can unlock freedom, creativity, and a global audience.

Mungo is the founder of Mungo TV, a rapidly growing travel and culture platform known for raw storytelling, sharp humour, and honest perspectives on places most people never see. From Mongolia to China, his work challenges curated travel, mainstream narratives, and algorithm driven thinking.

In this conversation, Mungo shares what he has learned about authenticity, social media growth, comedy, censorship, and why doing your own thing is still the most powerful strategy.

He explains:
◽️ Why going off the beaten track creates better stories and a better life
◽️ How to grow on social media without chasing followers or trends
◽️ The real mechanics behind viral content and audience growth
◽️ How humour, satire, and risk shape long term reputation
◽️ What living in China is actually like beyond Western media

00:00 Growing Up Across Cultures
02:10 Rejecting Curated Travel
04:00 From School Expectations to Independence
06:43 Starting Mungo TV
10:43 Being Recognised and Staying Grounded
14:11 How Viral Comedy Really Works
21:45 Turning Ideas Into Content
26:54 Making Better Videos
32:46 Why Niches Matter
40:55 Comedy, Free Speech, and Risk
53:52 Living and Creating in China
58:12 Legacy and Meaning
1:00:44 One Lesson to Remember

Mungo McCosh:
◽️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcmungo.tv/
◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mungo-mccosh-a81954261/
◽️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@McMungoTV
◽️ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mcmungotv?_r=1&_t=ZN-91quCiznHni

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_
◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/
◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023. 

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.