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

Do you ever feel limited by society’s expectations surrounding travel?  When today’s guest, Beth Santos, started a travel blog, her goal was to challenge norms by exploring the diverse and shared experiences of women traveling the world. It has since morphed into Wanderful, an international community and social network with over 40,000 active members composed of women and nonbinary people of all ages and backgrounds. Aside from this booming online community, Beth has also created WITS Travel Creator + Brand Summit, the Bessie Awards, and the first-ever outdoor women’s festival (taking place in New Orleans in March 2022). This week's episode is filled with the wisdom and stories one can only acquire as a world traveler, serial entrepreneur, mother, and community builder. Tune in to learn what it means to be a good leader, how to create a safe and empowering community, why exploring your heritage can uncover unexpected roads and so much more.  Make sure you don't miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime experience and

How would you describe your current level of happiness and what would need to change to increase it?  This week I am joined by award-winning journalist and bestselling author, Eric Weiner, to explore the many themes of his book The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World, and explore what it means to be happy. If you want to transform your outlook and increase your happiness, then you don’t want to miss this episode. Eric shares stories from his time spent 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. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a bonus episode every month (decided on by YOU), exclusive content, direct access to me to answer your que

Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you weren’t locked into a single career path? Then you might just be a multipotentialite.  Today I am joined by writer, artist, community leader, and my dear friend Emilie Wapnick to discuss just how embracing your passions can help you reimagine work.   Emilie is a fine example of the many things a person can accomplish when you simply embrace your uniqueness. Her TED Talk and book, How to Be Everything: A Guide for Those Who (Still) Don’t Know What They Want to Be When They Grow Up, empowers others to embrace the multipotentiality in their lives.  If you want to learn how to integrate your interests to create a dynamic, fulfilling, and fruitful career and lifestyle, then you don’t want to miss this episode. [Note: This is an episode from the archives that we felt needed to be heard again!] Which passions do you most want to follow? I'd love to hear more about them and hope you will share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the pr

How does hearing someone else's story change the way you think about the world? Today I am joined by author and climate change activist Devi Lockwood to talk about the story-fueled cycling journey that brought her to 20 countries, spanning 6 continents, and eventually lead 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, then 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. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a bonus episode every month (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: Ho

What is the first song that comes to mind when you think of an epic travel adventure? This week I am joined by my dear friend, musician, and fellow traveler Josh Bennett (aka BoTik Quest) to dive into our list of must-hear travel songs. We cover everything from the "cliche" hits to the less obvious medleys that make for epic adventures. Tune in to hear Josh and I reflect on some of our favorite travel moments through the lens of music and don't forget to follow along by listening to our specially curated Top Travel songs playlist (including honorable mentions). Is there a song you think should make it on the list? I'd love to hear them and hope you will share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a bonus episode every month (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: Our strategies for crafting the list The first song that c

How do your interests and hobbies inspire the way you travel and vise versa?  When the founder of Arc Surfboards, Timmy Smith, embarked on his first solo surf trip to Asia in 2019, he had no idea that mixing his love for surfing and travel would inspire him to start his first business. Today we explore what happens when travel puts your life on a totally new trajectory, the mindset that allowed Timmy to go "all-in" with his business, some of the best surf spots in the world, the best resources for travelers who love to surf, and so much more.  Have you ever planned a trip surrounding a hobby or sport? I'd love to hear about your experience and hope you will share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a bonus episode every month (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: Why one simple decision can change your entire life Wh

 Are you ready for the 8th Annual Norwegian Christmas Spectacular?  Well, the wait is finally over, it's here!  This year my wife Anne Dorthe and I have put together a very special episode all about the experiences we create and value during the holiday season.  If you're ready to learn more about creating new experiences through family time, music, food, activities, and gifts, then grab your favorite holiday beverage, cozy up by the fire, and tune in.  What are your favorite experiences and traditions during the holiday season? I'd love to hear about them and hope you will share them by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a bonus episode every month (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: The true meaning in creating experiences around the holidays A peek into one of our family's new Christmas traditions What tunes best

What does it mean to create a life of travel?  This episode dives into the story of loyal listener and world traveler Joe Esten, whose journey started when he traveled to Namibia for the Peace Corps in 2015. What Joe didn't realize at the time was how his experiences were helping him manifest his future travels, working for Norwegian Cruise Lines and teaching English in China. If you want to know how being open to unexpected opportunities and new experiences will help you become a travel Swiss Army knife, then you don't want to miss this episode.  Do you have any tricks for transitioning back into stationary life after a stint of long-term travel? I'd love to more about them and hope you will share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a bonus episode every month (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: What it's like to e

Have you ever set aside the time to write out your life goals with the full intention of achieving every last one?  This week author and middle school teacher, Ryan Jacobson, shares how 2 items on his bucket list lead him to take a 1-year sabbatical to travel the world and write his first book The Adventures of Mr. Brightside: One man. One world. Three VERY different budgets.  If you have ever wondered how to achieve big goals, you don't want to miss this episode. Ryan shares the secret to maximizing life experience, executing your travel dreams, and the life-changing question he asks his students. What's something you want to cross off your bucket list in 2022? I'd love to hear what it is and hope you will share all the details by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a bonus episode every month (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

Have you ever been drawn to something so strongly that you are willing to uproot your life in order to get closer to it?  This week I'm joined by location-independent entrepreneur, Paolo Dobrowolny, who shares the story of how following his dream of moving from Italy to California, led to building a business surrounding a lifestyle he loves.  If you have ever wondered what it would be like to chase your lifestyle dreams, then you won't want to miss this episode. Paolo shares exactly how he overcame the fears and obstacles that went along with uprooting his life in Italy to chase the California dream as well as an abundance of tips for aspiring product creators.   What steps can you take towards becoming the person you strive to be? I'd love to hear what they are and hope you will share them by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a bonus episode every month (decided on by YOU), exclusive content, direct access to me to answer your questions, an

Has a big epiphany ever caused you to instantly alter the trajectory of something in your life?  Today I am joined by loyal listener and international piano entertainer, Matt Fetbrandt. When Matt reached out to tell me about the epiphany that changed his life, I knew right away his story had to be shared. Over the past year, Matt has traveled over 16,000 miles, through 34 U.S. states, and 18 national parks, with no plans of stopping. Tune in to today's episode to find out how in just 7 months Matt went from staying in a sober living home with only $12 to his name to saving $20,000 and living out his travel dreams.  When was the last time you acted on a spontaneous urge to travel? I'd love to hear all about your adventure and hope you will share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a bonus episode every month (decided on by YOU), exclusive content, direct access to me to answer your questions, and more? Click Here To Try Premium Passport For

Have you ever looked back in gratitude at what was once a painful experience? This week's guest, Michael Lavers, knows a thing or two about how sometimes overwhelming struggles can lead to unexpected growth. Now an English teacher, podcaster, and world traveler, Michael was once so shy he spent most of his first solo trip to a foreign country in his hotel room and at Starbucks.  If you want to better understand the mindset that can help overcome any life struggle then you won't want to miss this episode. Michael shares all about how keeping an open mind, setting goals, and using the past as a learning tool helped him blossom into a confident traveler and entrepreneur.  How do you plan on using travel as a tool for future personal growth? I'd love to hear more about your goals and hope you will share more by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a bonus episode every month (decided on by YOU), exclusive content, direct access to me to answer your

If you could ask somebody living the nomad life any question about their experience, what would you want to know?  Today I am taking you to a busy London pub where I met with friend and fellow travel podcaster, Palle Bo. Join us as we catch up over beers and reflect on Palle's travels since his last time on the show. With over 5 years of travel under his belt, Palle drops some major knowledge bombs he's gained from living nomadically. You are not going to want to miss what he has to say about how to embrace solo travel, making financial decisions on the road, finding your community no matter where you are, and so much more.  What is the most memorable free activity you've done while traveling? I'd love to hear the story behind it and hope you will share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a bonus episode every month (decided on by YOU), exclusive content, direct access to me to answer your questions, and more? Click Here To Try Premium Pass

Have you ever dreamt of traveling to a country that is considered dangerous but held back on making plans because of safety concerns?  After spending the past 12 years living nomadically, Bjorn Palsson (founder of Crazy Puffin Adventures), has collected a wealth of knowledge about how to be a safety-conscious traveler anywhere in the world. By seeking out new, uncomfortable, and uncommon experiences, Bjorn has lived in rural Kenya, studied to be a safari guide in South Africa, hitchhiked through Iran and Pakistan, and even launched his own travel business.  This week's episode is filled with nuggets of insight from Bjorn's travels that you will not want to miss. We talk about, the balance needed when living on the road, what solo travel can teach you about yourself, how to manage m money as a traveler, why sometimes it's okay to abandon your dream, and so much more. What is a dream you've let go of in order to pivot and progress in life? I'd love to hear about how it turned out and hope you will share by send

Do you ever dream about living a life of full-time travel but wish you knew where to start?  Today I am joined by the founder of The Nomad Experiment and my dear friend, Jason Robinson, who at age 39 had only seen 2 countries outside the United States. After a few years and a lot of trial and error, Jason published his first book, The Beginner Traveler's Guide To Going Nomad. If you are thinking about becoming fully nomadic or have curiosity about long-term travel then you don't want to miss this episode. We cover tips and strategies to help you get started, why tough love is crucial to success, traveling with autoimmune disease, and so much more.  What are your travel goals for the upcoming year? I'd love to hear all about them and hope you will share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a bonus episode every month (decided on by YOU), exclusive content, direct access to me to answer your questions, and more? Click Here To Try Premium Passp

Don't you just love the special way a piece of great art or music can transport you to another time and place?  This week, Norwegian country music sensation, Malin Pettersen, shares about the physical and metaphorical journey music has taken her on. After winning a Spellemannpris (Norwegian Grammy) in 2018 for her first solo album, Malin performed at some of Norway’s largest festivals and eventually traveled to Nashville to record her latest album Wildhorse.  If you are a music lover like me, then you will not want to miss this episode. Tune in to learn how Malin's unique Americana-inspired songwriting style launched her solo career, the role language plays in her songwriting, the differences she's found between American and Norwegian culture, and why music and travel go hand in hand. When was the last time you took a risk on yourself and how did it turn out? I'd love to hear more about it and hope you will share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podca

On today's very special episode, we will be taking an EPIC road trip with fellow travel journalist, podcaster, and friend Oneika Raymond. You will be hearing an episode from her new podcast About the Journey where she will take you on an audio journey from Georgia all the way to North Carolina.  To see what this episode has in store, check out the description from the About the Journey podcast: Join Host Oneika Raymond on a Southern road trip from Atlanta to Asheville. We’ll visit a soul food café whose owner has been feeding hungry locals and the homeless for over 20 years. We’ll also hear an ancient legend that haunts a well-known hiking trail and visit an unlikely site to see some incredible artwork. Thanks to our guests on this episode for sharing their stories along the route. You can learn more about the School Bus Graveyard by visiting their Facebook page here Check out Shirley’s Soul Food Café on Facebook, here. Get more information about Tallulah Gorge’s North and South Rim Loop Trails on t

Do you ever stop to ponder the role your personal identity and culture play in your travel experience? How about the role travel plays in your identity and culture?  This week travel expert, vlogger, speaker, and influencer, Ravi Roth, shares the unique insight he's gained in traveling to 34 countries with the goal of exploring and embracing Queer culture for his new travel series Ravi Round The World. Listen now to get a first-hand account of how Queer culture and Pride have manifested throughout the world, learn about some of the best destinations and must-do festivals around the globe, gain insight into the ever-changing meaning and experience surrounding Pride, and be inspired to make a difference in the world. How have you come to understand your own identity better through the lens of travel? I'd love to hear your insights and hope you will share them by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a bonus episode every month (decided on by YOU),

When was the last time you focused primarily on the journey instead of on the destination when traveling? Train travel expert and creator of seat61.com, Mark Smith, shows us exactly how planning a train trip is a wonderful way to give greater meaning to your next travel adventure.  If you have ever considered planning a train trip but don't know where to start, you won't want to miss the wealth of knowledge and experience Mark offers in this episode.  When and where will your next train adventure happen? I'd love to hear the details and hope you will share them by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a bonus episode every month (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: Takeaways from traveling in Syria nearly a decade ago How working for the railroad created Mark's unique perspective on train travel Why the journey gives re

Have you ever wondered how your life might be different if you had a crystal ball that looked into the future?  This week I am joined by Rohit Talwar a global futurist, award-winning keynote speaker, author, and the CEO of Fast Future. His expertise lies in helping the travel sector, leaders in corporations, tourism boards, investment firms, associations, NGOs, and governments, understand and shape the emerging future. He has a particular focus on how we can advance business, society, and individual lives by harnessing the power of new thinking, innovation, and disruptive developments such as artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and human enhancement. If you have ever been curious about how new technologies, currencies, and customs will shape the future of travel, then you don't want to miss out on this week's episode.  What kinds of technological developments are you looking forward to in your future travels? I'd love to hear more and hope you will share them by sending me an audio message. Premiu