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

There is no denying that places like Alcatraz and Auschwitz are rooted in dark history, but Disney World? A dark destination?! Today, I’m joined by Dr. James Treadwell to unravel the intricacies of dark tourism.  Dr. Treadwell is a Professor of Criminology at Staffordshire University. He is also the co-author of 50 Dark Destinations: Crime and Contemporary Tourism, which highlights travel destinations across six continents and explores the past and contemporary issues that we often disregard during our everyday leisure. In this episode, we talk about the sensationalization of true crime, why we’re so attracted to places marked by violence, and what actually makes a destination “dark.” You’ll learn how we may all be some form of deviant tourist (whether we realize it or not) and ways to be more mindful when visiting these locations. Have you visited a dark destination? What was your experience? Let me know by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed,

In 2013, Jasmine Reese took her puppy and a violin on a bicycle tour across the United States with less than $50 in her pocket. She was, in her words, a “chubby city girl, trying to regain self-confidence and recapture the person she thought she’d lost.” In this episode, you'll hear about the profound acts of kindness that renewed Jasmine's faith in humanity, how she reshaped both her body and mind, and gain insight into how your attitude defines your actions. This is one of my top picks from the Zero To Travel archive and was originally published in 2017. Would you go on an adventure like Jasmine? 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: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a monthly bonus episode (decided on by YOU), exclusive content, direct access to me to answer your questions, and more? Click here to try Premium Passport for only $1. Tune In To Learn: How to use your internal

Today, I’m joined by Aaron Millar, host of the Armchair Explorer podcast, to share the top lessons he’s gathered through his conversations with some of the world’s greatest adventurers.  In this episode, Aaron shares his favorite stories from travelers who have trekked through Africa in search of their next “thing,” traveled along the Oregon Trail to escape predictability, ran towards their fears in the Brazillian Amazon, and rowed across the Atlantic while battling Cushing’s disease, among many others. These remarkable stories hold valuable lessons about breaking out of the mold, pushing past our fears, and daring to be alive. Which story was most inspiring to you? How will you take these lessons and integrate them into your own life? I'd love to hear your thoughts 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 content, direct access to me to answer your questions, and

We're pulling one of my top picks from the archive for a second episode this week! What an incredible show today as I sit down (in person) and chat with legendary explorer and adventurer Erling Kagge. Erling is a man of many firsts. In 1990, Erling was the first to reach the North Pole without support as part of a two-person team, and in 1992-93, he was the first to do a solo unsupported expedition to the South Pole. He spent 50 days walking alone across Antarctica without any contact with anyone. He also climbed Mt. Everest in 1994, which made him the first to complete the 3 Poles Challenge on foot. Then, in 2010, he completed a 5-day walk through the sewers of NY to the Atlantic Ocean, and in 2012, he walked the entire length of LA's Sunset Boulevard! We talk about his book Silence: In the Age of Noise, why silence is such an essential part of our lives as humans, walking, travel (of course!), and much more. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a monthly bonus episode (d

Do you want to quit your job, embark on an epic adventure, and build an online business? After leaving his successful career as the trainer for the New Zealand Olympic swimming team, Antonio Cala went on to cycle 25,000 kilometers from California to Patagonia, live on a sailboat for three years, and ride a motorcycle 30,000 kilometers from Spain to Cape Town. Along the way, he founded Adventure Fix, the ultimate online adventure magazine packed with the top travel expeditions, wildlife encounters, and remote places from around the world.  In this episode, Antonio and I unpack the lessons he’s learned from training Olympians, traveling to over 150 countries, and building a seven-figure business while on the road. You’ll hear about the moment when he had to decide between his dream job and a life of travel, how his values influence his choices, why cycling may be the best way to experience a country’s culture and people, and how hitching a ride on a sailboat led them to a new life path. You’ll also learn how he

How would your travels be different if you set aside expectations and surrendered to the journey? After realizing that much of Roberta’s pain came from unmet expectations, she decided to experiment with a new life approach that involved planning nothing and letting go of any attachment to how things turned out. In this episode, author and coach Roberta Mussato and I unpack the lessons she learned when she decided to trust the universe during her three-month adventure through Sri Lanka, South India, and Nepal. You’ll learn why she adapted this new life philosophy, how the mindset of a traveler lays the entire foundation for a trip, why you need to live in trust, and how we can find the balance between our philosophies and the necessities of the real world. You’ll also gain insight into solo travel in Asia, the process she took to write her book, and much more! What new life philosophy or mentality can you experiment with on your travels? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me a

Does travel really make you happier?  Today, I’m joined by Dr. Andrew Stevenson to unravel the mysteries of travel from an academic and psychological perspective. Dr. Stevenson is a cultural psychologist and senior lecturer in psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University in Manchester, England. In his recent book, The Psychology of Travel, Dr. Stevenson offers key insights into the psychological factors behind different kinds of travel and introduces the reader to new ways of thinking about global mobility and movement. In this episode, Dr. Stevenson shares insight into the reciprocal relationship between people and their environments, advice on managing travel fears and anxieties, and how to use travel as a tool for self-development. We explore the dilemmas of cultural integration, how travel changes our perception of time, the psychological factors behind different travel styles, and much more. How has travel improved your life? I'd love to hear about your experience and hope you’ll share by sending me

Saddle up and get ready for a wild ride because today, you're headed to the Buffalo Roundup in South Dakota! This episode is from The Travel South Dakota Stories, an immersive first-person podcast that takes you on a journey through the Land of Infinite Variety. In this episode, award-winning travel writer and host Brian Thacker takes you to one of my favorite hidden gem destinations in America, where you'll get to experience one of the most unique events in the state. Feel the ground rumble and the dust fly as sixty cowboys and cowgirls saddle up to bring in a thundering herd of 1,300 buffalo at the 57th Annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup. Through this compelling audio experience, you'll be right there with Molly, one of the cowgirls, as she cracks her whip and corals the galloping buffalo. You'll discover the buffalo's role in American and Native American History, hear from a Lakota rider who explains what the buffalo means to them, and so much more. Resources: Listen to The Travel South Dakota Storie

How can volunteering abroad enhance your travels? Today, I’m joined by Ricardo Lima, founder of Worldpackers, to talk about how you can get the most out of your work exchange experience. Worldpackers is an online platform that connects travelers looking to exchange their skills for accommodations with incredible hosts from around the world and has facilitated more than 140,000 exchanges in 140+ countries.  In this episode, Riq shares why he left his successful career as an investment banker to travel the world and eventually found one of the largest work exchange platforms for travelers. You’ll gain insight into how these types of programs work on both the volunteer and hosting side, common concerns and misconceptions, and why volunteering abroad is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in a culture and experience deep transformations. We also talk about the state of the hostel industry, why he moved his company from a hostel to a van, and his best business advice for someone who wants to create something

How can travel serve as a path to healing and self-discovery? Today, I’m joined by C.D. Seventeen, a techno music artist, DJ, painter, and poet, to talk about what it was like growing up in the Yunnan Province of China and how a bike-packing trip through the Scottish Highlands and the Orkney Islands helped her reclaim her power. In this episode, Seventeen opens up about her challenges coming out of that environment to pursue an unconventional path and what she had to overcome to follow her dreams. We also explore her book The Weight We Carry, which contains poems from her solo bike-packing journey. She shares how this transformative trip contributed to her healing, what the adventure was like, and how it continues to impact her to this day. This story just might inspire you to, as Seventeen wrote on the back of her book, “jump on a bike, go on a journey, dive deep into the self, and let the weight of your human identity dissolve into the wind.”  Trigger Warning: This episode discusses suicide and suicidal ide

Want to visit some of the less popular but equally epic destinations in Europe? Joseph Reaney is a freelance travel writer based in the UK and Czech Republic who’s written for Lonely Planet, DK Eyewitness, Fodor's Travel, National Geographic, and Rough Guides. In addition to his freelance writing, Joe is the founder and editor-in-chief of the travel content writing agency World Words, as well as a jobbing comedy writer/producer/director. In this episode, Joe and I talk about his life as a travel writer and his favorite alternatives to the more commonly visited places around Europe. He shares about his lifestyle living between cities, his experience taking a gap year to teach English in Nepal, tips for being a hospitable host and guest when couchsurfing, how he unexpectedly became a travel writer without any journalism training, and (of course!) his list of the top five alternative European destinations. Where would you want to visit first? Do you have your own alternative spot to add to the list? I'd love to

Need help landing your dream remote job? Considering becoming a digital nomad but not sure where to start? Look no further than Jordan Carroll, AKA The Remote Job Coach! After landing his dream job working for Remote Year, Jordan now helps job seekers level up their game by teaching them an effective strategy to land legitimate remote job opportunities without the traditional application process. In this episode, Jordan and I talk about some considerations for becoming a remote worker, how to test the remote work and digital nomad lifestyles, and why it’s important to define fulfillment for yourself. He also shares the secret to how he secured his dream job and actionable strategies to help you do the same! You’ll learn his step-by-step process for assessing and landing remote jobs, why interviews start well before the actual interview, and his systemized approach to networking and building relationships that can lead you to incredible opportunities. Whether you’re seeking remote work, are an established entr

Integrating ourselves into a new culture allows us to meet more locals and enhance our travel experience. But how can we do this in the most authentic and ethical way? Lorelou Desjardins is a French lawyer who’s lived in seven countries, speaks four languages, and has dedicated over a decade to addressing environmental issues and fighting injustice on behalf of Indigenous people worldwide. She is also a fellow immigrant to Norway and has a popular blog and book called A Frog in the Fjord, which has become a bestseller here in Norway.  During today’s chat with Lorelou, you´ll hear about her experience advocating for Indigenous rights and rainforest protection. She’ll share tips on ethical travel to Indigenous areas, advice for cracking the cultural code wherever you go so you can get the most out of your trip, and the importance of being unafraid to follow a different path that others may not agree with. We also commiserate on the curiosities of life in Norway and some of the quirky things we’ve experienced li

I’m pulling one of my favorites from the archive for this week's episode! If you want to learn the secret to finding cheap flights, listen to Scott Keyes. Scott took his passion for finding cheap flights and sharing deals with friends and turned it into the uber-successful Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights), a service that tracks airfare prices and alerts its 2+ million members to exceptional airfare deals. He is also the author of Take More Vacations: How to Search Better, Book Cheaper, and Travel the World, a timely guide for anyone hoping to turn vacations from once a year into many more. Scott is the world’s foremost expert in finding the cheapest flight deals and loves helping you save money so you can travel more. If you’re curious about what it takes to find the best deals on flights, his methodology, best practices when booking, the mindset you need to have when booking flights, and much more, then you will not want to miss this episode! Which of Scott’s techniques will you use for booking your ne

Have you ever thought about what your travels would look like without alcohol? Today I’m joined by Margaret Ward to get her 10 expert tips on traveling alcohol-free and explore why this may be something you’d want to consider trying yourself! After eliminating alcohol, Margaret rediscovered her joy for travel – so much so that she started Alcohol-Free Adventure Retreats (AFAR), where she helps women rediscover and challenge themselves by embracing travel without alcohol. Whether you’re sober-curious or just interested in a different travel experience, Margaret’s tips are valuable in many situations. In addition to Margaret’s advice, we have a deeper conversation about living in an alcohol-centric society. You’ll learn about some of the benefits of the sober-curious movement and sober travel, why committing is sometimes easier than moderating, how to avoid decision fatigue while traveling, and plenty more. Are you considering going alcohol-free on your next trip? If you already travel without alcohol, what do

Today, we have a special episode from Exploring San Francisco - an audio adventure recorded on location, designed to let you feel what it’s like to experience this incredible city yourself! In this episode, award-winning travel writer and host Aaron Millar takes us on an immersive whirlwind journey, exploring San Francisco in the most iconic way possible. As you travel with Aaron, you’ll stop off at all the highlights along the line, revealing the story of the city from its Gold Rush roots to the creativity and diversity that defines it to this day. Learn more about The Golden City and plan your next adventure with San Francisco Travel.

What better way to experience and connect with a culture than through its food? Today I’m joined by Eating Europe founder Kenny Dunn to learn how travel led him to discover his passion for food and get expert insight on the top 10 authentic food experiences you don’t want to miss when visiting Europe. Since 2011, Eating Europe has guided over 300,000 travelers to the best local eats in 10 of Europe’s greatest cities, allowing them to discover where locals go out to eat, hear the stories behind each dish, and interact with the people who make these iconic foods. In addition to Kenny’s highly-curated list, we’ll dig into his entrepreneurial journey and how his failed around-the-world adventure ultimately led him to start the first food tour company in Rome. You’ll also learn how he discovers these places so you can enjoy more authentic food experiences and meet more locals anywhere in the world yourself!  What’s your favorite food memory? Which of Kenny’s top 10 are you adding to your bucket list? I'd love to h

What comes to mind when you think of Wisconsin? Today I’m joined by Anne, Cassie, and Casey from Travel Wisconsin to help you discover the unexpected wonders waiting for you in the Badger State.  Wisconsin is filled with friendly locals, incredible food, amazing culture, and epic outdoor adventure – and you’re going to get a big heaping slice of all that today! In this episode, we explore the incredible immersive experiences that allow you to connect with the local food scene and community and the outdoor recreation opportunities you can’t find anywhere else (plus a one-of-a-kind trail that I just added to my bucket list!). We’ll also talk about some of the unique Indigenous cultural offerings and why every traveler should make tribal tourism a part of their journey. What are you most excited to experience in Wisconsin? I'd love to hear your thoughts 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 (de

Here's a powerful question to ask yourself, "Am I using your time well?". Jerry Kopack is an author, speaker, and recovering cubicle dweller. After doing his time in corporate America, he founded and ran a hospice for 10 years. Through serving patients at the end of their lives, Jerry learned the greatest lesson, one not found in any business school or cubicle - the value of time. In this episode, Jerry shares what he’s learned from caring for the dying and how that led to building a life of travel and bike packing around the globe. You’ll learn why he refers to his corporate career as “soulless” and how he unexpectedly discovered his passion for hospice care, how a two-month bike tour turned into nearly two years and the invaluable insights he discovered about himself and the human experience along the way. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode 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 episod

Today I'm joined by Jamie Leibert - aka Captain Manicorn - and Sandra Zinovyev to talk about their incredible story of overcoming adversity and relentlessly pursuing their dream of becoming the first people to fly a parachute in every country. Jamie and Sandra are on a nearly impossible mission where one wrong decision could cost them their lives. Their goal is to leave behind a legacy that inspires future generations of adventure lovers to beat the odds stacked against them by showing them how to turn an impossible dream into a possible one. In this incredibly raw conversation, Jamie and Sandra discuss their difficult pasts with childhood trauma, incarceration, and addiction and the obstacles they continue to face while on the road. This episode goes beyond their adventures in air sports, offering valuable insight on how to shift your perspectives, overcome challenges, and fulfill your dreams (plus what to do when that dream doesn't make you happy). Trigger Warning: This episode discusses drug use, addict