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

How would you describe your current level of happiness, and what would need to change to improve that?  Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Eric Weiner joins me to explore the many themes of his book The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World and get into the nitty-gritty of what it means to be happy. If you want to transform your outlook and increase your happiness, you don’t want to miss this episode. Eric shares stories from his time as a foreign war correspondent during the rise of the Taliban, his decision to leave behind a successful career at NPR, lessons from traveling the world to write his first book, and so much more.  How does traveling make you a better version of yourself? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you will share them by sending me an audio message. *We're sharing previous episodes that highlight authors this month! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, providing valuable insight whenever you listen. Premium Passport: Get ad-free e

Did you know Ben Franklin was an extensive traveler for his time?  Today, I'm joined by New York Times bestselling author Eric Weiner to talk about his new, incredibly unconventional biography, Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder's Formula for a Long and Useful Life, a guide for living and thinking well. We talk about Eric's unique way of weaving travel into his writing, explore the life and wisdom of Ben Franklin, and share concrete takeaways you can use to enhance your own life and travels. You'll hear about Eric's three keys to living, thinking, and aging well, what it means to live a useful life, the importance of curiosity, and the benefits of being what he calls a "genuine fake." We also touch on Ben's flaws and the lessons we can learn from them. What insights stood out to you the most? I'd love to hear them, and I hope you'll share 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: Wha

What do you love about your home country? What do you think could be better? After moving to America in 2008, Anu began to notice how much more complicated and stressful things seemed to be in the States compared to her home country of Finland. Anu Partanen is a Finnish journalist and author of The Nordic Theory of Everything—In Search of a Better Life. The book shows how the Nordic way of doing things can give you more freedom to fulfill your desires, enjoy more travel, have better health, better education, and more opportunities. In this Greatest Hits episode, you'll hear some of her interesting perspectives and ideas surrounding these topics and gain insight into how your view of your home country shifts (for better and for worse) when you move to a new country. How have your views changed about your home country since traveling? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes

How can one simple concept or decision radically change your life? In 2017, Jen Ruiz set out to take 12 trips in 12 months before her 30th birthday while employed full-time as an attorney. By the end of the 12 months, she had taken 20 trips and discovered a new career path, empowering others to change their lives through travel. Jen is a five-time Amazon bestselling author, three-time TEDx speaker, and solo travel maven. Her new memoir, 12 Trips in 12 Months: Make Your Own Solo Travel Magic, documents this journey of what happened when she decided to stop waiting for others and start living for herself.  Jen and I talk all about solo travel and advice on traveling with a full-time job. She shares advice on self-publishing versus traditional publishing, how and when to make the transition to travel from a full-time job, how your perceived drawbacks can actually be your biggest benefits, and a ton more. What challenge can you set for yourself to make the most of your travels? I'd love to hear your thoughts and

What epic episodes are we dropping this month on the podcast? Listen in to this quick announcement and find out. What topics and themes do you want to hear about on the podcast? I'd love to hear what they are, and I 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! Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Thanks To Our Sponsors Nissan - There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Babbel - Learn a new language with Babbel! Visit babbel.com/zerototravel to get up to 60% off your subscription.

Do you have a fear of flying or get stressed and anxious while you're traveling? In today’s Greatest Hits episode, you'll learn how to run your brain instead of letting your brain run you with Lawrence Leyton and Mark Wein, experts in overcoming the fear of flying. Through their work with the Fear of Flying TV show in the UK and easyJet's Fearless Flyer course, phobia expert Lawrence and ex-phobic Mark have helped thousands conquer their aviation anxieties.  Lawrence and Mark talk about their experience with the fear of flying and dig into the root cause of phobias. They share practical tips and strategies for conquering the fear of flying and managing anxiety during various travel situations. What piece of advice will you try next time you get travel anxiety? I'd love to hear what they are, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. *We're sharing previous episodes to highlight Mental Health Month! Zero To Travel episodes are timeless and provide valuable insight whenever you listen. Premiu

How does full-time travel impact your mental health? What happens when the novelty of full-time travel begins to wear off? Today, I’m joined by Will and Jessica Sueiro to talk about the rewards and challenges of living this lifestyle.  Will and Jessica Sueiro have been traveling full-time with their two kids for the last 10 years. They are the duo behind WorldTowning, which was started by their family and has since become a movement to empower others to explore and change the world through travel. Will and Jessica talk about the reality of full-time travel and the impact that it’s had on their children. They share their family’s journey with mental health, why travel isn’t a “cure-all,” and why self-care and therapy are critical for nomads. We also have a conversation around how your preferred travel style can evolve over time and the struggles of finding work-life balance on the go. There are a ton of insights packed into this episode to take with you on your next adventure. What has travel taught you about

Today, we have a special episode from Utah: Life Elevated. This documentary podcast takes you on an unforgettable road trip through the Beehive State with travel writer and host Aaron Millar. You can't really know a place without hearing from the people who have always been there. Utah is the sacred and ancestral home of eight different tribal nations, including the Paiute, Navajo (Diné), Shoshone, Goshute, and more. Today, we're learning as much about their histories and cultures as we can. Join Aaron as they listen to Southern Paiute music under the stars, see a traditional Diné fireside dance, sample fry bread with a unique twist, step inside a traditional hogan in Monument Valley, and learn about what being Native American means in 2024. What did you take away from this episode? 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 content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Resources: Join Ze

How can one trip entirely change your life? Jay Cameron joins me to share about the life-altering trip he took to Ghana when he was 40 years old. After having this experience, Jay left his career running summer camps for kids and founded Maximum Impact Travel, a tour company connecting people to the magnificent continent of Africa and the African diaspora in the Americas, Caribbean, and Europe. Jay and I talk about the misconceptions and negative narratives about Africa and the importance of changing the narrative through travel media. He talks about the African diaspora and his top 5 surprising experiences in Africa. Outside of discovering new off-the-beaten-path destinations in Africa, Jay shares his experience climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and why everyone should find their own “Mount Kilimanjaro experience.” You’ll hear about his best advice for making huge transitions like he did and much more. Is your next life-changing trip right around the corner? I'd love to hear about your travels and hope you’ll share

This is part two of my interview with Peter Panagore, who is sharing the incredible stories of his not one but two near-death experiences. In this episode, you’ll hear about what happened the second time he died and how it’s changed how he goes through life. We talk about the difficulties of living as your new authentic self after having a transformational experience and go even deeper into questions around death, mysticism, enlightenment, and what Peter describes as “the union experience.” I encourage you to keep an open mind while you listen to our fascinating conversation! What did you take from Peter’s story? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share 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! Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Visit Peter’s website Watch Peter on YouTube Read his book Heaven Is Beautiful: How Dying Taught Me That De

Is there any bigger journey we take than the journey to the other side? Today’s guest is Peter Panagore, who is sharing the incredible story of his first (yes, first) near-death experience. In part one of this two-part series, you’ll hear the harrowing tale of how Peter froze to death and came back to life while ice climbing and why it’s important for him to continue to tell his story years later. We talk about mystical experiences and how to interpret them, why he no longer asks “why,” and share our thoughts on why perhaps we should all think a bit more about death.  No matter your beliefs, you’ll be captivated by his tale of returning from the beyond and how it’s transformed his life. Stay tuned for part two, where we get into some more thoughtful questions and talk about his second near-death experience. What are your thoughts on near-death experiences? What did you take from this episode? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Get ad-free

Do you ever find yourself overcome by stressors in your daily life? Today, I am joined by Integrative Health Coach, Wellness Consultant, and expat Kirsten Pontius to talk about how you can reduce stress and increase happiness in your life no matter where you are or what you're doing. If you've ever wondered how you can better manage and overcome difficulties at home and on the road, then you do not want to miss this episode. Kirsten shares simple ways to bring joy and balance to your life, find routine during travel, why embracing the unfamiliar is important, and so much more. What stress-reducing tool from today's episode do you want to apply to your life? I'd love to hear about it and hope you will share by sending me an audio message. *We're sharing previous episodes to highlight Mental Health Month! Zero To Travel episodes are timeless and provide valuable insight whenever you listen. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! T

Planning a trip to Paris? Jay Swanson is an American writer & vlogger who came to Paris on a visa no one had heard of and managed to stay. His down-to-earth vlogs documenting life in Paris have built a devoted following, leading him to become a trusted local travel expert.  Jay shares helpful and uncommon advice for tackling a city like Paris, like where to stay and how to meet locals. At the top of the episode, we also discuss his intense experience working on Mercy ships—hospital ships that travel around the world. You’ll hear about the traumatic and magical things he witnessed during that time and how that led to his crazy life as an expat in Paris. What uncomfortable travel experience helped you grow? I'd love to hear about it and hope you’ll share 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: His life-changing experience working on Mercy ships in developing countries and the traum

Do you suffer from anxiety? How have the unknowns of the road hindered your travel plans? What role does stress play in your travel planning? We are diving into mental health and how it affects your life choices and future plans with Gilad Gamliel from The Overthinker's Passport. He is very open in sharing his struggles with mental health issues as we talk about how he's learned to control them, the role travel plays in his journey, the balance between planning vs. spontaneity, and more. Has your mental health ever prevented you from traveling? How has travel helped you overcome your anxiety? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you will share by sending me an audio message. *We're sharing previous episodes to highlight Mental Health Month! Zero To Travel episodes are timeless and provide valuable insight whenever you listen. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: Why it’s important to speak up about mental h

A quick, important announcement on what’s coming up this month on the podcast! *Please be aware this episode does mention suicide as we talk about Mental Health Month. What topics and themes do you want to learn about on the podcast? I'd love to hear what they are 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! Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Mental Health America History A Mind That Found Itself by Clifford W. Beers Thanks To Our Sponsors Nissan - There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Wise - Wise can help you send, spend, and receive internationally without the hidden fees or exchange rate markups. Learn how Wise can work for you by downloading the app or visiting www.wise.com/travel. AeroPress - Say yes to better mornings fueled by better coffee. Visit

Harry Mitsidis is one of only three people to have visited every country in the world…TWICE!  He is also the founder of NomadMania, an online community that inspires global explorers to venture beyond the ordinary and obvious to celebrate the world’s diversity. In this community, travelers track their progress across various lists and are ranked based on their travel accomplishments.  Today, we talk about the potential moral and ethical issues surrounding this idea of systemized travel and ranking travelers and how (when used intentionally) it can create meaningful travel experiences.  As someone who empowers people to get out, see the world, and spend quality time off the beaten track, we also have a bigger conversation around his unique perspectives on travel and what motivates him to continue exploring the world. Of course, there are plenty of destination recommendations (like the best place to be pleasantly surprised!) and insights into filling your life with travel. What do you think of gamifying travel?

Have you ever encountered something while traveling that sparked a "crazy idea" or inspired you to make a change?  For the past six months, Robbie, Ivo, Jasper, and Josh have created adventure videos in Kenya for their YouTube channel, and it quickly became apparent that the loss of tourism due to Covid-19 is hurting parks and conservancies throughout Africa. After interviewing rangers and uncovering the truth about reduced salaries and increased workload, the creators knew they had to act. Learn how four young YouTubers decided to journey from Kenya to Cape Town in nothing but two tuk-tuks, all in the name of conservation.  What is one thing you can do to create change within your community? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you will share by sending me an audio message. *We're sharing previous episodes to highlight Earth Month! Zero To Travel episodes are timeless and provide valuable insight whenever you listen. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for o

This is a human-powered adventure story not just because Daniel Troia traveled by bike…but because it was powered by the kindness of strangers. Equipped with hidden camera glasses and a cardboard sign that said, "Ran out of food. Anything helps," Daniel spent seven months bicycling across the United States, listening to stories from the people who offered help. His travel documentary, “We Are All In This Together,” has garnered 15 awards at various film festivals and is being used to raise money for homeless shelters. What did he learn from the experience? Find out today as Daniel recounts his adventure and the making of the film.  You’ll hear why he felt uncomfortable nearly the entire trip, the unexpected people he met who changed his life, and the biggest lessons he learned about adversity, grief, togetherness, and humanity as a whole. You’ll get advice on long-distance biking, dealing with confrontations, and more. What have your travels taught you about humanity? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope y

Have you ever wondered how you can lessen your environmental impact during your next adventure?  Richard Hammond has devoted his life to helping others understand their environmental impact and how to make changes to live more sustainably. As an expert on low-carbon travel, eco-holidays, and sustainable travel, he's here to share tips and strategies to become more environmentally friendly travelers without being overwhelmed. We cover practical strategies for lessening your carbon footprint, why travel helps us understand ourselves as global citizens, how to spot a company using greenwashing as a marketing strategy, and so much more.  Which of Richard's tips will you apply to your next trip? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you will share them by sending me an audio message. *We're sharing previous episodes to highlight Earth Month! Zero To Travel episodes are timeless and provide valuable insight whenever you listen. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episod

Today, I’m joined by digital nomad and author Lisa Jansen to get her list of the top 10 New Zealand hidden gems and get a peak into the New Zealand campervanning lifestyle. Lisa is a long-term traveler based in New Zealand. She has been a nomad for over six years, five of which have been spent traveling across the country in her campervan. Her book Life Done Differently explores her decision to prioritize a nomadic lifestyle, favoring travel and van living over conventional familial and career pursuits. Lisa shares her eclectic mix of off-the-beaten-path places to visit, from surreal lakes and remote beaches to a steampunk town, a west coast alternative to the popular hot water beach, one of the best night sky views in the world, and where you’re most likely to naturally swim with dolphins. You’ll hear all about New Zealand vanlife, get tips and tricks for having your own campervan adventure, and gain plenty of insights into solo and long-term travel.