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

Have you ever considered traveling to Galicia, Spain?  This week I’m swapping shows and bringing you a bonus episode from Amateur Traveler Podcast, an award-winning blog and podcast helping real travelers plan real trips to their own backyard or around the world. In this episode, host Chris Christensen talks to Lisa Rose Wright about her adopted home of Galicia, Spain. Lisa shares why you should add this lesser-known, greener corner of Spain to your bucket list and lays out an eight-day itinerary to get you started on planning your trip. Full show notes here!

Is Ireland on your list of places to visit? Today I'm joined by National Geographic tour leader and author Jack Kavanagh to give us the scoop on his homeland of Ireland.   Jack Kavanagh is an expert traveler, journalist, writer, and tour leader for National Geographic Expeditions. He has worked as an editor for National Geographic International Editions and was the senior editor for National Geographic Books. Jack is the author of National Geographic Complete National Parks of Europe and is currently writing a book about Unesco World Heritage Sites. His newest book, Always Ireland: An Insider's Tour of the Emerald Isle, offers the ultimate insider's tour of Ireland's most iconic sites.  This episode will make you want to jump on a plane and head straight to The Land of Saints and Scholars. Jack shares his insight into all things Ireland, from the culture and where to find the best traditional music to the less-touristed road trips worth taking. You'll learn why chatting and daydreaming are Ireland's two unoff

Have you ever experienced a trip that changed your perspective on life? Today, I'm joined by Kari Gale to learn about her experience hiking 500 miles from the French border into Spain on the Camino De Santiago and the unique way she journals her travels.  Kari is an artist specializing in capturing the narratives of journey, food, and travel through pen, ink, and watercolor. From her tiny house in Portland, Oregon, she works as an author, illustrator, and creative mentor to others who want to document their stories through journal art. Kari's perspective on life and travel provides valuable insight for any journey, big or small. Kari shares her experience hiking the Camino De Santiago, the profound effects of documenting your travels with a paintbrush, the importance of staying curious, her commitment to minimalism, and so much more. What have you carried home from your travels? 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 pri

Have you ever dreamed of campervanning around Europe? Have you ever wanted to plan a remote work retreat for yourself or your organization? Today I’m joined by Chase Warrington, host of the About Abroad podcast, to talk about his experience campervanning around Europe and planning remote work retreats that create meaningful connections. Chase Warrington is an American expat living in Europe with his wife and dog. He’s the Head of Remote at Doist, a leading remote-first company with teammates spreading across 35+ countries, and has been named a LinkedIn Top Voice for Remote Work. After calling half a dozen countries home, Chase is passionate about the future of work and its impact on global mobility, as well as making location independence the new standard and helping others build a life without borders.  In the first half of this episode, Chase dispels the glamourized version of vanlife and shares the reality of this lifestyle. He provides plenty of actionable tips on campervanning in Europe, including how to

Have you ever wanted to create your own path toward travel?  Today I'm joined by Mark White and Steffi Barthel to learn about the inspiring moments that led them to a life of travel, adventure, love, and music. Mark and Steffi met in a small town on the east coast of Australia in November 2016. After traveling together for six months, Mark decided to share his passion with Steffi and taught her to play the Chapman Stick. They now travel around the globe as the world's only Chapman Stick duo, sharing their music and making a difference.  If you're looking for that spark of inspiration to start living life on your own terms, this episode is for you. Mark and Steffi share their unconventional approach to earning a living on the road, their advice for international couples, how music connects them as a couple and to the cultures around them, and so much more. How can you take an unconventional approach to incorporate more travel into your life? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you will share them by sendin

Tony Giles has visited 130 countries on 7 continents and counting. He’s written 3 books, delivered an epic TEDx talk, and has been featured in major media all over the globe, including the BBC and Travel + Leisure.  In this episode, Tony shares his inspiring story of traveling the world as a blind solo traveler. He talks about his struggles growing up with alcohol and kidney disease, his trust in strangers, the surprising advantages of being blind, how he unintentionally became a motivational speaker, and so much more. How did Tony’s story change your perspective on travel? 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 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: How Tony become blind and partially deaf, and his personal struggles with alcohol addict

What is your favorite style of travel? Today I am joined by Tim Marting to dive into what it means to be a “Slowmad” and the biggest benefits of spending more time in a new country.  Tim is the co-founder and COO of Citizen Remote, an online community geared toward helping its members achieve their travel dreams. It is a platform built by digital nomads, for digital nomads that specializes in obtaining Visas, unearthing hidden gem experiences, and building relationships abroad.  If you have ever dreamed of spending quality time in a new country, you will not want to miss this episode. Tim shares all about why he loves settling into a new country, the challenges that arise when adjusting to a new culture, why it is important to be bored, the importance of connecting with the local community, and so much more. What intention have you set for the day? I'd love to hear what it is and hope you will share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a bon

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to connect with your heritage?  Today I am joined by ex-pat and street photographer, Taro Moberly, to learn about how a short-term trip to learn about his roots turned into 7+ years of living in Kyoto, Japan.  Taro’s passion for photography took flight when he moved from California to Japan in 2015. While it was originally just a way to share life with family and friends in the states, it quickly became a way to express how he sees the world and inspire others to travel. If you have ever wanted to visit Japan, you will not want to miss this episode. Taro shares places and experiences you can’t miss, his biggest takeaways from being immersed in a different culture, tips for learning languages in a new country, and so much more.  Where would you travel to connect with your heritage? 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

Have you ever wondered what makes a curated travel experience worthwhile? This week I am joined by Torunn Tronsvang, the founder of Up Norway, to discuss how to have an authentic adventure and unforgettable experience in Norway.  After working and living in Bhutan, Dubai, Switzerland, Thailand, and the Maldives for many years, Torunn came back to her home country with a mission to make Norway the world’s most attractive destination. In 2016 she set out to create Up Norway with the vision of providing thoughtful off-the-beaten-path experiences for anyone.  If you have ever been curious about Norwegian culture then you will not want to miss this episode. Torunn breaks down popular Norwegian concepts, shares a few unique destinations you’ve probably never heard of, reveals the key elements that make a curated travel experience worthwhile, shares her perspective on the art of doing nothing, and so much more.  Which Norwegian destination catches your eye the most? I'd love to hear what they are and hope you will s

What are the essential qualities of the best remote work destinations? Today I am joined by award-winning travel journalist and friend of the show, Tim Leffel, to review his hand-tailored list of up-and-coming remote work destinations for 2023. Tim has been a travel writer since 1993 and has been writing, editing, and publishing travel-related content full-time since 2006. He has lived abroad in Turkey, Korea, and Mexico and combines his extensive personal experience living abroad with his professional resources to produce quality content that helps others achieve their travel dreams. If you want to spend quality time in a new location, you will not want to miss today’s episode. Tim shares his favorite tools for gauging rental costs, tips for getting over jetlag quickly, Jet lag tips, which destinations will match your personality best, why you should ditch the coworking space, how to support the local economy, trends in long-term Visas and so much more.  When is your next proper vacation? I'd love to hear wh

What destinations are on your list of places to visit in 2023?  Today I am joined by the senior editor for National Geographic Traveler, Amy Alipio, to talk about 5 of her favorite destinations from Nat Geo’s Best of the World 2023 List. With a career 20+ year career at National Geographic, Amy provides an insider perspective on how the publication upholds integrity and creates great stories as well as gives tips for how you can pitch your own story.  If you are currently manifesting which destinations to visit next, you will not want to miss this episode. Amy shares her favorite destinations from the categories of family, adventure, culture, nature, and community, she also gives insight into how to tell a great story, the process National geographic uses to curate content, and so much more.  Which of these destinations have you added to your bucket list? 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 podc

What can thinking about death teach us about living life?  Today I am dusting off a classic from the archives to explore the answer to that question. In my 2019 interview with author, songwriter, speaker, and free spirit Bronnie Ware we discuss the freedom that comes with understanding and accepting the sacred gift of time.  Bronnie Ware is devoted to helping others find the courage to embrace life on their own terms and live without regrets. Her international bestselling memoir, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying has been translated into 32 languages and has a movie in the pipeline. Bronnie spent much of her life traveling nomadically and now has a home base in rural Australia.  As you make your resolutions for the coming year, you will not want to miss this episode. We talk about tips for getting clear about what you value in life, how to break out of boxes you don't belong in, why death is a tool for joyful living, what it means to view things on a soul level, and so much more.  Premium Passport: Want acces

Are you ready for the 9th Annual Norwegian Christmas Spectacular? The time has come my friends! On today’s extra special Christmas episode, Anne Dorthe and I snuggle up and talk about 5 ways you can make this a magical holiday season.  Tune in to hear our favorite parts of the holiday season, find gratitude, gain new ideas about how to celebrate, and so much more. What are your favorite experiences and traditions during the holiday season? I'd love to hear what they are and hope you will share them by sending me an audio message. Don't forget that if you 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: Reasons to get into the holiday spirit as soon as possible Big differences between American and Norwegian Christmas traditions My kid’s favorite Norwegian Christmas treat Creative ideas to give back this Holliday s

Do you ever wish you could just slow down? Today I am joined by a long-time digital nomad and founder of Wandering Earl Tours, Derek "Earl" Baron to dive into the best countries to settle in and spend quality time.  Derek set off for his first trip in December of 1999 and has been traveling the world non-stop since. Having visited over 100 countries, totaling nearly 8000 days on the road (at the time of this interview) he has the unique perspective of someone who has spent over 2 decades living, working, and building relationships abroad.  If you are in the midst of making travel plans for the coming year, you will want to tune into this episode. Derek shares how to find the right place to spend quality time, tips for finding good housing abroad, the best country to make friends, advice for building relationships on the road, and so much more.  Where is the last place you spent quality time? I'd love to hear what they are and hope you will share them by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want acce

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to make a radical change in the way you experience day-to-day life?  Today I am joined by long-time listeners and founders of The Giving Experiment, Owen and Christina Dargatz, to learn all about their family’s transition from life in a cushy Canadian ski town to becoming members of a small Guatemalan community. In May of 2021, the family of 7 arrived in Guatemala with the goal of understanding how they could enhance the lives of others. They have not looked back since and have started a plethora of projects including a community garden and food forest, a neighborhood music academy, workshops and courses to support local entrepreneurs, just to name a few. If you have ever sought a simpler way of life, you will not want to miss this episode. We dive into what it's like to live abroad with 5 kids, why less is always more, how travel has the power to transform your belief system, the beauty of giving and receiving, and so much more. What does discomfort mean to you an

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work as a flight attendant? Today's episode provides an insider look into the world of flying with Skybabes Tee and Nena who have 20 years of experience in the aviation industry as senior flight attendants and recruiters for a prestigious international airline. Together they have flown across the world 400 times, visited two-thirds of the world, and spent almost 20,000 hours in the air as flight attendants. They have flown on some of the biggest passenger aircraft including Airbus A330-300, Airbus A340-500/800, Airbus A380, and Boeing 777-200/300 ER. If you plan on spending any time on a plane, you are not going to want to miss this episode. Tee and Nena share some invaluable advice about how to stay safe and healthy on any flight, crazy passenger stories that shed light on what NOT to do on a plane, the serendipitous story about how they met and became skybabes, why growing up during a time of war drew them to travel, and so much more. What was the most surpris

If a new opportunity comes your way, are you ready to take it?  When this week's guest, professional photographer and loyal listener Leslie McKellar, was forced to move out of her apartment in 2020 because of toxic mold, she took it as an opportunity to reevaluate her trajectory. After realizing her calling to travel full-time, she set out a plan to make it happen and left for Europe in January 2022. This week's interview is extra special because not only was it recorded in person but I also met Leslie 8 months into her travels so she has some fantastic insights to share from her experience. You will not want to miss what she has to say about how she budgeted for the trip, advice on how to pick the right destinations, valuable lessons from curveballs along the way, why traveling can help you reset, a 60-second challenge to help you find new adventures, and so much more. What are your takeaways from the 60-second challenge? I'd love to hear about them and hope you will share by sending me an audio message. Tod

Are you working on your 2023 travel bucket list?  Well then, today’s very special episode is just for you. I chat with Matt Berna, President of North America for Intrepid travel, to get insight into some of the best and most unique places to visit as a solo traveler. Intrepid Travel is a world leader in sustainable experience-rich travel that has been taking travelers to discover the world's most amazing places for more than 30 years. The company’s mission is to create positive change through the joy of travel. Intrepid offers over 1,150 trips designed to truly experience local culture across every continent.  Regardless of next year's travel plans, you will need information from this episode in your arsenal. Not only does Matt share the top 5 countries for solo travelers (based on real statistics), but he also gives a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to be a tour guide and shares how to break into the travel industry, why you should consider group travel, what realistic sustainable travel looks like

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live without regrets?  Today I am joined by author, speaker, and nomad, Geri Suster, to deep dive into her newest book Graceful Exits: Making the Case for Getting Good at Goodbye, and learn how to build skills in navigating exits and preventing regretful goodbyes.  In 2017 Geri sold her seaside home and all her belongings to travel the United States in a 33’ Class A RV with her 2 dogs. Life on the road gave Geri the confidence and space to realize her calling to write a book geared toward helping others find grace in making difficult exits. She has since traded in her RV for a self-converted sprinter van and found a home base in Bend, Oregon but is gearing up to hit the road again to spread the word about Graceful Exits. Want Geri Suster to come to your town? Reach out! If you have ever regretted how something ended, you will not want to miss this episode. Geri gives practical advice for preventing difficult goodbyes, shares the top questions to ask yourself bef

Have you ever wished you could improve your storytelling skills surrounding travel?  This week I am joined by travel journalist and friend to the show, Oneika Raymond, to talk about the art of storytelling, what it’s like to be a travel journalist, and how her nomadic life has changed over the years.  Oneika has visited 120 Countries over six continents and is on a mission to educate, empower and encourage exploration. She started her career as a secondary school teacher, eventually becoming an award-winning journalist, speaker, podcast host, and Emmy-winning television host. If you love the spirit of wanderlust, then you don’t want to miss this episode. We talk about why you should take an adult gap year, advice on what it takes to tell a great story, the top 3 cities you must visit, why completion is more important than perfection, factors to consider if you’re considering settling down, and so much more. What are your favorite stories from traveling? I'd love to hear a few and hope you will share them by s