Zero To Travel Podcast : National Geographic Type Adventures, Lifestyle Design Like Tim Ferriss Plus Inspiration Like Ted

What would you do if you knew you were going to go blind? At 13, Hayley developed alopecia and lost all of her hair. At 27, she was diagnosed with Stargadts disease, causing her to lose all of her central vision. On a mission to see as much of the world as possible before her sight completely deteriorates, Hayley recently became the first known disabled person to visit all 193 United Nations member states (and more). Hayley and I have an open conversation about her story, the motivation at the heart of this quest, and the challenges she faced both at home and on the road. Many universal lessons are packed into this conversation, including insight on learning to ask for help, respecting other cultures despite your personal beliefs, traveling to dangerous countries, avoiding disappointment when visiting a new place, food for thought for those working 9-5 jobs, and much more. What did you take away from Hayley’s story? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Prem

We're pulling past episodes from the archives to highlight Women's History Month! This episode was originally published in April 2016. Renata Chlumska is a Swedish and Czech adventurer with a long and impressive list of expeditions, including: Bicycling from Nepal to Sweden Summiting a mountain over 8,000 meters without supplemental oxygen A motorcycle trip from India to Sweden Climbing Mt. Everest and finishing the Seven Summits Completing her "Around America Adventure" (439 days, 11,300 miles by kayak and bicycle solo) In this episode, Renata and I discuss solo travel, planning big adventures, and how she turned her adventure into a career (and how you can, too!). She also shares how travel can be a way to process tragedy and why your exotic place as a traveler is just around somebody else's corner. Plus! At the end of the episode, I share my five tips to help you meet more people when traveling. What would be your ultimate adventure? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you'll share them by sendin

What happens when one person’s dream adventure is forced onto their family? Today’s episode is, in many ways, a cautionary tale to remind us of the importance of considering your travel companions' needs, especially when they’re children. At seven years old, Suzanne Heywood’s father took their family on a dangerous sailing expedition, recreating Captain Cook's perilous third voyage around the world. While it was supposed to last three years, it ended up taking 10.  In her memoir Wavewalker: Breaking Free, she shares her experience of growing up at sea, being unable to receive an education, surviving a shipwreck, and eventually making it back to the UK and to university. In this episode, Suzanne shares a captivating story of resilience. We talk about some of the traumatic experiences she faced, including the shipwreck that led to severe head injuries just six months into their voyage (with no medical care on board). We talk about why she feels she was denied a childhood and the implications of this journey on

We're pulling past episodes from the archives to highlight Women's History Month! This episode was originally published in October 2022. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel like a great historical adventurer? Today, I'm joined by Elise Wortley, a journalist on a mission to, quite literally, walk in the shoes of some of history's most fierce female explorers. After reading Alexandra David-Néel's book My Journey to Lhasa at age 16 (and again at 28), Elise was left with many questions about the trials and tribulations Alexandra must have faced being a female traveler in the early 1900s. In search of answers, she set off to India to follow in the author's footsteps, using only items that would have been available during the original journey - a yak wool coat and wooden backpack. This trip has snowballed into multiple adventures sprinkled throughout the globe, bringing history to life and giving these past explorers the recognition they deserve. Elise shares epic stories from her travels (like t

Author and adventurer Roff Smith joins me to share his top seven favorite bike routes from his National Geographic book 100 Bike Rides of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Cycling Experiences.  Roff has cycled all over the world and is most known for his 10,000-mile solo trek through the Australian outback, the story of which became a three-part series in National Geographic. He’s explored Zanzibar by bike, rode from London to Istanbul, followed the Danube, and pedaled the length and breadth of Britain - to name a few! Roff’s list is packed with incredible options for cyclists of all kinds, from family-friendly trails to a few that are not for the faint of heart. He shares plenty of stories from his bike tours throughout the world, advice and insight into the challenges, and how you can build your life around travel. What trail are you most excited to explore for yourself? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive

We're pulling past episodes from the archives to highlight travel jobs this month! This episode was originally published in April 2017. If you work onboard a cruise ship, you’re guaranteed to get paid to travel the world - but is it all it's cracked up to be? How can you find the best cruise ship jobs without experience, and how can you stand out from the stacks of resumes? Amanda Hathorn-Geary is a cruise ship employment specialist who spent a decade working on board before moving into human resources and cruise ship recruitment. As someone with firsthand experience on both sides of cruise ship employment, she’s here to answer all those questions and help you decide if life at sea is right for you. Explore the pros and cons of cruise ship jobs, get a breakdown of the various positions (plus the top five entry-level roles), learn how to stand out and nail the interview, hear about the different travel experiences you can have, and much more. Would you work on a cruise ship after listening to this episode? I'd

Derek Loudermilk is a professional adventurer and quantum business coach who “helps people do things that have never been done before and makes their lives the most amazing adventure possible.” He recently completed an 8-year quest to learn 100+ metaphysical, spiritual, esoteric, and healing techniques while traveling all over the globe – from things like laughing yoga, reiki, and plant medicine to telepathy, moldavite magic, telekinesis, astral projection, and more. You’ll definitely want to go into today’s episode with an open mind! Derek shares why going on a quest can significantly improve your life and travel experiences. He talks about the experimental approach to his quest, and we get into some of his most profound experiences. We also have a bigger conversation around the importance of curiosity and letting go of the stories you’ve been told so you can become more connected to yourself and the world around you.  What kind of quest would you want to go on? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll

What happens when you realize you don’t want your career anymore or don't want to use your degree? My guests may have the answer! Matt Moore and Kelcey Fowler are the owners of CoolWorks, a website to help you find seasonal jobs in great places - everything from national parks to ski resorts, retreat centers, and whatever else you can think of!  Matt and Kelcey talk about what led them to pursue an unconventional path and share insight into how you can do the same. You'll hear all about how to build your travels around seasonal work, great places and opportunities to explore, and advice for landing the job. What seasonal job would you love to do? I’d love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. We're pulling past episodes from the archives to highlight travel jobs this month! This episode was originally published in 2018. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: How to ex

Planning a trip to Europe? Lucas Peters is the author of the new Moon guidebook, Grand European Journeys: 40 Unforgettable Trips by Road, Rail, Sea & More. As an award-winning writer and travel expert, Lucas shares his top seven routes (plus a few bonus destinations!) to help you plan your ultimate European journey. Whether you're exploring Europe for the first time or returning for a new adventure, Lucas' list offers options for every traveler. You’ll also hear about his experience as a travel writer and what life is like in Morocco with this family.  Speaking of Morocco…. We’ve partnered with Lucas’ travel company, Journey Beyond Travel, to run an epic trip for the Zero To Travel community! Are you in?! Sign up for the waitlist to get more info. Where are you going to head first? I'd love to hear about your European travel plans and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! T

Have you ever thought of being an au pair? Do you think you need the perfect travel job? Caroline Harkins has been living in Norway for nearly two years as an au pair (and is hoping to stay after her contract ends!). But what exactly does an au pair do, and how does it allow you to travel? Today, you'll learn why being an au pair is more than just taking care of kids. You'll hear about what led her to become an au pair, insight into finding jobs, and creating a life in a new country. What can you do to start your life abroad? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you'll share by sending me an audio message. We're pulling past episodes from the archives to highlight travel jobs this month! This episode was originally published in 2018. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: Why she landed on Norway and red flags to look for when choosing your country The qualifications you need to become an au pair How this

Want to stay up to date on the latest in travel? Tune in for my top five trends, tools, and tips for February 2024. Plus, I’m sharing a recent epiphany that will exponentially improve my year - and it could help you, too! What did you think of this episode? What do you want to hear more about? I'd love to get your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: Why now may be the best time to book your flights The newest countries to roll out digital nomad visas Two travel styles that are quickly gaining traction Why even the most spontaneous adventurers can benefit from some planning (trust me!)  A tip for enhancing your travel experience (or avoiding crowds) And much more  Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Want to travel with me to Morocco? Sign up for more info! Read the CNN article on airfare

Would you want to spend a season on a fishing boat? Hold on and get your sea legs ready! Today, you're getting an inside look into the Alaskan fishing industry from longtime fisherman Patrick. You'll hear all about his beginnings on board a fishing boat at 13 and his life now as the captain of his own ship (plus his plans to bring his girlfriend on board!). You'll learn about making money while you travel, how to use seasonal jobs to fuel your adventures, and more. Are you up for the adventure? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you'll share by sending me an audio message. We're pulling past episodes from the archives to highlight travel jobs this month! This episode was originally published in 2019. Tune In To Learn: The hierarchy and positions on a boat What you need to work on a fishing boat How to encounter locals (and the world) in a different way How his experiences redefined his baseline of comfort and who he is as a person Typical pay for fishing boat crews How to find work and tips to make

What is the Blaxit movement, and why are Black Americans deciding to move abroad? Chrishan Wright is a leader at the forefront of the Blaxit movement and the founder of Blaxit Global, a visionary platform dedicated to empowering the African diaspora to pursue a life abroad. She is also the host of the Blaxit Global Podcast, featuring inspiring conversations with trailblazing Black expats who left their country of origin out of fear or frustration to live out their wildest dreams abroad. Chrishan unpacks this question and shares insight into the movement’s current and future direction. As an expat living in Portugal, we also get into her #1 strategy for setting yourself up for happiness with a move abroad, advice for living abroad as an introvert, and some of the best destinations to move to. Are you considering a move abroad? I'd love to hear why and where you’re headed! Send me an audio message and let me know. Tune In To Learn: How to structure a scouting trip and why it’s essential to get into the mindset

Want to build a life of travel but not sure where to begin? Tune in every Thursday this month as we reshare some epic past episodes on travel jobs! Today, I’m sharing a quick story about how I got started in travel and highlighting three myths about travel jobs that will help open your mind to what’s possible.  What questions do you have about travel jobs? What other themes do you want to see highlighted on the show? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Resources: Subscribe to our FREE newsletter Today's Sponsors - US Bank, Wise, Nissan Thanks To Our Sponsors US Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card get 4 X the points on eating out and 2 X the points on groceries, entertainment services, and gas or EV charge stations. Apply today at usbank.com/altitudego to get 20,000 points by spending $1,000 in your first 90 days.  There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Wise can help you send, spend

From economic turbulence and overworked employees to the issues that affect everyday travelers, like delays, cancellations, lost luggage, and reduced routes – it's safe to say the airport experience has gotten pretty rough! Ganesh Sitaraman is on a mission to improve the airline industry for travelers, and his new book Why Flying Is Miserable: And How to Fix It lays out a plan for how leaders could fix flying to serve more people more efficiently and with fewer federal bailouts and headaches. Ganesh is a Doctor of Law from Harvard and is currently a Professor of Law at Vanderbilt University Law School. He’s a policy expert who teaches and writes about constitutional law, the regulatory state, economic policy, democracy, and foreign affairs.  In this episode, Ganesh and I unpack some of these problems with the US airline industry and take a look at the potential solutions through the eyes of a policy expert. While policy reform might not be something you thought you’d ever get excited about, you’re going to be

Looking for inspiration to make your travel dreams a reality in 2024? We're republishing some of our Transition to Travel episodes to kickstart the new year! Do you think you could sell your house, quit your job, and move to a new country? Tune in to learn how my new friend Jenita Lawal did just that, with her three kids too! You'll hear what it was like before Jenita left for her trip and the process of getting ready to make this huge change. Then, we'll time-travel eight months later to see how it all turned out and what it's been like living in Mexico. Tune In To Learn: If some of her fears came true How life is going down in Mexico Ways to open up new information If it's really worth moving to become an ex-pat How you can adjust on the fly to a new situation Options to homeschool your children What you can do about creating income while living in Mexico How much it actually costs to live in Mexico How to overcome obstacles And so much more Resources: Subscribe to our FREE newsletter Today's S

What does it take to plan a long distance walk such as Europe's GR5 and what are some things you might learn along the journey? Kathy Elkind shares her experience walking the Grande Randonnée Cinq (GR5) through the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France for over three months with her husband. She is also a teacher of mindful self-compassion and gives us examples of how a long-distance walk gives you opportunities to practice compassion. This episode is packed with practical advice on how to plan a long distance journey, overcome the challenges of traveling with a partner, and how to be more compassionate towards yourself. We also explore wise strength, suffering, slow travel, and why “to walk a country is to see a country.” Have you ever embarked on a long-distance journey? I'd love to hear about your experiences and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a monthly bonus episode (decided on by YOU), exclusive cont

Looking for inspiration to make your travel dreams a reality in 2024? To kickstart the new year, we're republishing some of our Transition to Travel episodes! What one thing can help you travel more and lead to a whole new travel adventure? Transitioning to a life of travel can be difficult, scary, and even intimidating. Making that leap is a HUGE decision, one that Joe Ferarra didn't take lightly when he left his job and completely changed his life around to bike around the USA. Tune in to hear Joe's story, gain a new perspective, and learn what you can do (better) during your own transition. You'll hear what it was like before Joe left, and then we reconnect six months later to find out how it went! Check out these before and after photos of Joe! Tune In To Learn: How you can redefine home Ways to overcome your fear of leaving a steady paycheck What you can do to create a travel-based lifestyle How to embrace your adventure and enjoy it How weird things can make fun stories (think Bigfoot) Biggest cha

How often do you find yourself getting off the beaten path, and how have those experiences shaped you? In this episode, I have travel writing legend Joe Cummings as my guest, who wrote the very first Lonely Planet Guide book to Thailand back in the early '80s. We dive into what that was like, talk about what guidebooks have done to travel (the good, the bad, and the ugly), and the benefits of getting off the beaten path. He shares tons of stories that encompass his entire travel writing career, including one with Mick Jagger! What is your favorite travel story? I'd love to hear about it and hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. This is a republished episode from 2020. Tune In To Learn: What led Joe to Bangkok How we went from Quaker College to a travel writing rockstar Finding the balance between feeling and communicating in guidebook writing The good, the bad, and the ugly of guidebooks on travel Joe's advice on finding and getting off the beaten path on your travels How travel has changed

Looking for inspiration to make your travel dreams a reality in 2024? To kickstart the new year, we're republishing some of our Transition to Travel episodes! What can you radically change in your life to help make travel happen for you? Tune in to get the scoop on Jordan and Tyler's "before and after" of their extended trip through South America. You'll hear all about what life was like leading up to their travels, and then we'll catch up with them after their trip to hear about their experience and what it was like when they got back. See how Tyler was able to radically change his life and learn how he and Jordan were able to set themselves up for travel. This will truly show you the impact that travel can have on your life! Tune In To Learn: What it was like building up to their drastic transition and the sacrifices they had to make How they decided on where to travel, and how they budgeted for a three-month trip How their life has been since returning How their plans and budget actually held up Their