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

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.

How does hearing someone else's story change your thoughts about the world? Today, I am joined by author and climate change activist Devi Lockwood to talk about her story-fueled cycling journey, which took her to 20 countries spanning 6 continents and eventually led her to write her first book, 1001 Voices on Climate Change. If you love story-telling or have ever wondered what it'd be like to do a 5-year bike tour, you do not want to miss this episode. Devi shares the roots of her inspiration, how she turned her vision into a reality, insights she gained along the way, and so much more. Do you have a passion project that has influenced your travels? I'd love to hear more about it and 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 only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To L

Do you ever feel called to do something different? Do you want to make a BIG change in your life?  Ingrid Alm and her family (husband, son, and dog) embarked on a human-powered adventure right from their doorstep in Oslo, Norway, to Nordkapp, Europe's northernmost accessible point by car. Their 2,000+ KM journey included walking, skiing, cycling, rowing, and even paddle boarding! In this episode, Ingrid shares the lessons they learned on this epic trip and how a need to shake things up from “normal” life led to their adventure. You’ll hear plenty of advice on how to kickstart your own journey of a lifetime, insight into making big changes, and much more. What trip or decision have you been considering? What’s been holding you back? 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 for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: Her college experience in the USA (and why Norweg

Travel undoubtedly makes us better people and, in turn, the world a better place. But does that good outweigh the negative environmental impacts? How can we be more conscious travelers? Robin Greenfield is a truth seeker, activist, social reformer, and servant to earth, humanity, and our plant and animal relatives. He lives simply and sustainably as a means of active resistance to oppressive, exploitative systems. Robin’s life is an experiment with truth and integrity – dedicated to liberation and equal rights for all. Robin shares his incredible story, and we talk about the life vows he committed to, including earning below the federal poverty threshold, keeping his net worth to a minimum, and owning few material possessions. This episode is packed with advice and insight to inspire you to become a more environmentally friendly traveler and positively affect the world and those around you.  What small change can you make to become a more conscious traveler? I'd love to hear your ideas, and I hope you’ll shar

We are back with another installment of Travel Trends, Tools, and Tips for April 2024! Kick back and get ready to hear about four trends I recently came across and some important food for thought about travel, life, and creating a growth mindset.  Which travel trend was most interesting to you? I'd love to hear your thoughts 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! Tune In To Learn: One of the best definitions of home I’ve ever heard The #1 thing to consider when making the transition to full-time travel (or prioritizing travel) Travel trends that will inspire you to travel in a new way Something you can do today that will set yourself up for a lifetime of enjoyment And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Read The Psychology of Money Read Autobiography of a Yogi Condé Nast article on travel trends

We're pulling past episodes from the archives to highlight Women's History Month! This episode was originally published in January 2016. What is your most outlandish travel dream?  Ellen Miller has a list of incredible athletic achievements. She's the first American woman to summit Everest from both sides (north and south), the first American woman to climb the Himalayan Triple Crown, has summited every 14,000+ foot mountain peak in Colorado (there are 53 of them!), and was named Colorado Woman of the Year in 2002. On top of that, Ellen is an accomplished endurance athlete coach, adventure racer, Nordic skier, mountain runner, and the founder of Climb for Literacy.  Ellen and I talk about her experience climbing Mt. Everest and what it really takes to conquer the biggest mountain in the world. Ellen shares insight into how to balance risk in extreme situations, advice on travel and athletics, and answers the question: Are endurance athletes born, or can they be made? What would you do if you could go anywhere

Samantha Brown has been inspiring people to get out and explore the world for over two decades as a travel television host - a career that has taken her to over 250 cities in 74 countries and 44 of the United States. She was the host of Travel Channel’s “Great Hotels” and currently hosts PBS’s two-time Emmy-winning series, “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love.” This episode is packed with insight to take with you on your travels and entrepreneurial pursuits as we talk about Samantha's journey to becoming a successful travel expert. You’ll hear about the 10-year buffer she gave herself to make it in NYC, lessons from connecting and communicating with strangers all over the world, what she’s doing behind the scenes that’s critical to the success of her shows, plenty of travel talk, and so much more. What is the biggest lesson that travel has taught you? I'd love to hear what it is and hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episo

We're pulling past episodes from the archives to highlight Women's History Month! This episode was originally published in February 2016. Sarah traveled 10,000 miles on foot from Siberia to Australia—alone. It was an epic walk that lasted three years, during which she survived the mafia, drug dealers, thieves on horseback, temperatures from subzero to scorching, dangerous wildlife, and many other life-threatening occurrences.  Her tales of survival, nature connections, perseverance, various encounters, and overall incredible spirit are documented in her book Wild by Nature. Sarah and I discuss the deep meaning behind her extreme walking adventures and the lessons she’s learned from these experiences. Get ready to be inspired as we explore themes of following your curiosity, trusting your intuition, and creating deeper connections with yourself and the world around you. Would you go on a walking adventure? What lesson from Sarah stood out to you the most? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share th

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