Episodes

  • Remote Roundup: Egypt Solo Travel, Building Intentional Seasons, Managing Daily Travel Stress, Creative Remote Work Workarounds (May 2026)

    Remote Roundup: Egypt Solo Travel, Building Intentional Seasons, Managing Daily Travel Stress, Creative Remote Work Workarounds (May 2026)
    May 14 2026
    From destinations that challenge your assumptions to the routines and mindsets that make this lifestyle actually sustainable, join Caitlin and Janessa as they unpack what's been on their minds this month. Remote Roundup is a monthly series hosted by Zero To Travel's associate producer, Caitlin Sunderland, and partnerships manager, Janessa Klatt. Explore what's new in remote work and travel, including helpful tools and resources, need-to-know trends, destinations, and insight into what it really means to live and work around the world. In this episode, Janessa reports back from a solo trip to a destination most travelers hesitate to visit alone, Caitlin shares a surprisingly simple tool for building calm and consistency into nomadic life, and both take a hard look at a habit nearly every long-term traveler has that might be doing more harm than good. There are also a few remote work stories from the community that prove people will go to remarkable lengths to keep living life on their own terms. Have you ever talked yourself out of a destination based on what you'd heard, or found a way to build more balance into a life that never really stops moving? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you'll share by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn: Why Janessa says this distinction is one of the most important things solo travelers can internalize when traveling somewhere new How a single offhand comment on the podcast led Janessa to an unexpected scuba trip What solo travel in Egypt costs, why Cairo might not be your best nomad base, and what to consider instead A breathing technique that's worth adding to your daily routine while traveling Why you may want to create intentional seasons in your year even when the weather never changes The most committed remote work workarounds, and why it actually made sense And much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Caitlin on Instagram Janessa on Instagram Diving Nomads Want More? Remote Roundup: Solo Travel Hot Takes, Nomad Budgeting, Rookie Mistakes, Cape Town & Mexico City (March 2026) 7 Epic Travel Fitness Adventures (For All Levels) and Solo Travel for Transformation with Heidi Nicklaus (+ Jason’s Ultimate Travel Blunder) 7 Pro Tips For Traveling In Dangerous Countries w/ Bjorn Palsson Thanks To Our Sponsors Become a Fora Advisor today at foratravel.com/zerototravel Get 20% of at Cozy Earth with code ‘TRAVEL’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • Authentic Brazil: Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventure Travel with Gift of Go

    Authentic Brazil: Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventure Travel with Gift of Go
    May 12 2026
    What if the part of Brazil most worth exploring is the one almost nobody talks about? Eddie Lott is a Dallas-born expedition leader who has spent nearly two decades studying Brazilian history, geography, and culture. He rediscovered the Serra do Espinhaco in 2018 and has been documenting its trails and communities ever since. Elisa Oliveira is a Brazilian architect turned expedition coordinator who left behind her career and her previous life after a single weekend in the Espinhaco in 2019. Together, they co-founded Gift of Go, a company that builds and leads founder-guided expeditions through one of Brazil's most layered and least-visited mountain ranges, and they are also husband and wife. In this episode, co-host Paige McClanahan talks with Eddie and Elisa about how Gift of Go came to be, what their expeditions actually look like, and what travelers need to know before heading to this part of Brazil. This is a rewarding listen for anyone drawn to real adventure travel in Brazil off the beaten path. Eddie and Elisa spent three-plus years walking the terrain, building relationships with local communities, and living in the region before guiding their first traveler. You'll hear why going deep into one place beats skimming across a whole country, how arriving somewhere by foot after 17 days on the trail completely changes how you experience it, and what it means to share a destination that still has almost zero international tourism presence. Have you ever experienced a place that felt completely untouched by tourism? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you'll share by sending me an audio message. Co-host Paige McClanahan is a writer, editor, and former journalist based in Paris, France. As the author of The New Tourist: Waking up to the Power and Perils of Travel, Paige is passionate about making sure our travels have a positive impact on the world. Learn more about her work here. Tune In To Learn: What makes the Espinhaco a microcosm of Brazil's most important ecological, cultural, and historical themes How Elisa left an engagement and a five-year architecture career after one weekend in a remote mountain village Why Gift of Go spent three years in the field before guiding their first traveler What the Veranico is, and why January might be the most spectacular and unpredictable time to visit How the expedition formats work, from 12-day group treks to fully bespoke solo journeys Why Brazil receives fewer international visitors per year than the city of Miami, and what that means for the right kind of traveler Practical tips for Minas Gerais: think in regions, know your biomes, expect limited English, and prepare for the warmth of the people What to eat and drink, from cachaça and UNESCO-recognized cheese to fig compotes with dulce de leche And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Gift of Go Website Instagram Want More? 7 Chile Hidden Gems: Off-the-Beaten Path in Patagonia, Mapuche Culture, and More with Steph Dyson How To Be a “New Tourist,” the Powers and Perils of Tourism, Embracing Tourist Traps, and the Impact of Travel With Paige McClanahan How To Get Off The Beaten Track with Gunnar Garfors Thanks To Our Sponsors Become a Fora Advisor today at foratravel.com/zerototravel Get 20% of at Cozy Earth with code ‘TRAVEL’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • The Goodness Game: 5 Rules to Pay It Forward with Small Acts of Kindness with Bryan Driscoll

    The Goodness Game: 5 Rules to Pay It Forward with Small Acts of Kindness with Bryan Driscoll
    May 5 2026
    What if one small act of kindness could completely change someone’s life trajectory? Bryan Driscoll is an entrepreneur, real estate investor, and the author of The Goodness Game. He built a multimillion-dollar real estate portfolio while running a marketing company, and he’s now focused on helping people create positive ripple effects through simple acts of kindness. In this episode, Bryan shares the story that inspired his kindness philosophy and breaks down his five-rule framework for making the world better in a practical, sustainable way. This episode offers a simple, practical way to approach kindness without overthinking it, something you can use at home or take with you on the road. Bryan breaks down how small, intentional actions can create meaningful impact, and why connection is often more valuable than money. It’s a grounded guide to taking action in a way that feels honest, natural, and aligned with your strengths, while also having a little fun. What’s one small act of kindness you could commit to this week, even if it feels slightly uncomfortable? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you'll share by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn: Why a random act of kindness at age 18 changed Bryan’s life forever How the “Goodness Game” turns kindness into a simple daily practice Why giving without recognition creates a deeper impact How to identify your personal helping style and use your strengths Why not everyone is your “assignment” and how to stay in your lane How to avoid burnout when helping others by creating boundaries How Bryan used Craigslist to test the ripple effect of kindness Practical random acts of kindness ideas you can try this week Why overthinking stops people from helping and how to just start And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Goodness Game website Want More? Walking the World with Alexander Campbell and Tom Turcich Bicycling Across the USA Without Money in Search of Human Connection With Daniel Troia Connecting with Strangers in 21 Countries as an Introvert, Battling the Loneliness Epidemic, Building Community at Home with Adam Schluter Thanks To Our Sponsors Become a Fora Advisor today at foratravel.com/zerototravel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • 10 Years & 40+ Countries: How to Travel Well as a Couple with Gabi and Shanna of 27 Travels

    10 Years & 40+ Countries: How to Travel Well as a Couple with Gabi and Shanna of 27 Travels
    Apr 28 2026
    What does it actually take to travel well with a partner, and what are the hidden layers of that experience when you're also navigating the world as a queer couple? Gabi and Shanna Meit-Sciara are a Brooklyn-based couple and the creators of 27 Travels, a platform launched in 2016 to document their adventures while building more visibility and resources for LGBTQIA+ travelers. Gabi is a photographer and graphic designer; Shanna is a videographer and video editor. Together, they've visited 40+ countries and built a full-time creative business rooted in their relationship and their shared love of the world. In this episode, co-host Dianni Hall sits down with Gabi and Shanna to talk about what it really looks like to build a relationship through travel, how their partnership has been tested and strengthened on the road over ten years, and what the experience of traveling as a queer couple actually involves beyond what most people see. This conversation is for anyone who's ever taken a trip with someone they care about and had to figure each other out in real time. Gabi and Shanna get specific about the roles they've each naturally fallen into, how they handle conflict during work trips without letting it ruin the experience, and the invisible, exhausting decisions queer couples make constantly on the road that most people never think about. If you've been wondering what traveling as a couple actually looks like when applied to a real, long-term relationship, this one goes deep. What's a trip that revealed something unexpected about someone you were traveling with? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you'll share by sending me an audio message. Co-host Dianni Hall is a queer, second-generation Latina, solo budget backpacker, freelancer, and host of the While She’s Away podcast, where she interviews women on their travel experience and expertise to help women live their best lives exploring the world. Learn more about her work here. Tune In To Learn: Why matching travel styles is one of the most meaningful early tests of a relationship, and how Gabi and Shanna discovered theirs on their first big trip to Arizona How the roles partners naturally fall into on the road tend to emerge without anyone actually choosing them Why adding content creation to a relationship and a trip is its own challenge, and what Gabi and Shanna have learned about navigating creative disagreements What to actually pay attention to on a first trip with a partner, including the green flags most people overlook How queer couples are constantly making decisions that straight couples rarely have to think about, from safety research to coming out to a stranger in a taxi What the invisible labor of queer travel looks like in everyday moments: hotel check-ins, ride-shares, tour sign-ups Why a loose itinerary almost always beats a rigid one, and why missing something can actually be the best thing that happens New York City hidden gems from two lifelong locals: the case for Brooklyn, vegan food in Chinatown, and more And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter 27 Travels Instagram YouTube TikTok Want More? LGBTQ+ Travel and Making A Difference with Ravi Roth Top 7 Cities for LGBTQ+ Travelers and Finding Your People Around the World with LGBTQ+ Travel Expert Alicia Valenski Choose Travel NOW! Lessons from the World’s Longest Honeymoon with National Geographic Authors Mike and Anne Howard of HoneyTrek Thanks To Our Sponsors Earn Cash Back and rewards on nearly every purchase with Rakuten. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • How to Plan Your Dream “Bucket List” Trip in 2026 + the Power of Travel to Transform with Kelly Tolliday

    How to Plan Your Dream “Bucket List” Trip in 2026 + the Power of Travel to Transform with Kelly Tolliday
    Apr 21 2026
    What if the key to planning your dream trip isn't choosing the right destination, but first figuring out what you actually need right now in your life? Kelly Tolliday is the founder of Transform With Travel, a professional travel advisor and wellness travel expert with over a decade of industry experience, a retreat facilitator and 500-hour registered yoga teacher, and a podcast host. She has traveled to more than 45 countries and lived across four continents, including extended time in Australia, Thailand, and Costa Rica. In this episode, Kelly walks through the step-by-step system she uses to plan bucket list trips and how anyone can apply the same framework to start planning their own dream trip today. Kelly reframes the entire planning process in a way that most of us haven't considered, and it changes not just where you end up going, but how you show up when you get there. She also makes a strong case for why the best travel experiences often come from letting go, even when every instinct is telling you to hold on tighter. You'll not only get Kelly's framework, but destination recommendations and a call to action at the end that I hope you follow through on. What's one destination that's been sitting on your bucket list for way too long, and what's actually been stopping you from booking it? I'd love to hear what they are, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn: Why asking "what do I need right now?" is the most important first question in trip planning How to use urgency as a real planning tool, and why some destinations carry a genuine now-or-never factor Why mapping out your full route, including transfer time and cost, is often the step that saves the most money How slow travel creates more space for the unscripted moments that people end up talking about for decades Why booking independent, locally-owned tour operators almost always leads to more memorable experiences than going with the bigger names How to approach accommodations with a "sense of place" mindset Advice on when hiring a professional travel advisor makes sense versus planning a bucket list trip on your own Why we both agree that physically demanding adventures should move to the top of your list sooner rather than later Hidden gem destinations worth visiting now, including a little-known Thai island that has somehow stayed off the radar How to reset your mindset when things go sideways on a trip And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Transform with Travel Instagram Want More? Live Your Bucket List w/ Ryan Jacobson Curiosity As Your Travel Guide + Exploring Overlooked Destinations with John McKenzie 7 Must-Visit Destinations for 2026 (Get There Before the Crowds Arrive!) with Lyn Hughes Thanks To Our Sponsors Earn Cash Back and rewards on nearly every purchase with Rakuten. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 26 mins
  • Overland Travel in West Africa Across 7 Countries (Part 2) with Gunnar Garfors & Jacqui Kunz

    Overland Travel in West Africa Across 7 Countries (Part 2) with Gunnar Garfors & Jacqui Kunz
    Apr 14 2026
    What would you do if your bus driver bought six Coca-Colas at the border, cost you your exit stamp, and forced you to sleep outside in malaria country between two countries? Co-hosts Gunnar Garfors and Jacqui Kunz are back to share part two of their overland travel adventure through West Africa, covering the final stretch of their seven-country journey through Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Ivory Coast. If you've ever been curious about what it actually takes to travel overland through West Africa, this episode gives you the unfiltered picture. You'll walk away with concrete tips on visa strategy, border navigation, shared transport logistics, and honest guidance on when to push through and when to bail and book a flight. Beyond the tactics, Gunnar and Jacqui model what it actually means to travel slowly and patiently through challenging terrain, staying flexible when things go sideways. If you're considering overland travel in West Africa or anywhere similarly complex, this episode cuts through the romance and gives you the real picture. Have you ever had a travel experience where everything went wrong and it somehow turned into the best story you came home with? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Gunnar Garfors is a Norwegian traveler, journalist, and author who became the first person to visit every country in the world twice. He is known for seeking out unusual routes and lesser-visited destinations, often traveling far beyond typical tourist paths. Jacqui Kunz is a full-time traveler who has explored more than 100 countries and was named “World’s Most Intrepid Traveler” in 2023, recognizing her commitment to exploring challenging destinations and traveling well off the beaten path. Tune In To Learn: Why Sierra Leone's land border crossing was a surprisingly smooth and welcoming experience What Freetown is really like to explore, from the historic Cotton Tree to its beaches and police checkpoints Why the city of Bo is worth a stop, and where to go nearby to see diamond mining How a fellow passenger buying Coca-Cola at the border kiosk resulted in an overnight stay between two countries in mosquito country Why Monrovia has a surprisingly American feel and where to stay, eat, and get cash When it makes sense to give up on overland travel and just book a flight How paying for an extra seat in a shared taxi can save your sanity, and why the "imaginary bag fee" is a negotiation you can usually win Why timing your trip just after the rainy season can make roads far worse than expected How Gunnar ended up in a Norwegian hospital with malaria, and why taking preventatives seriously is not optional And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Gunnar’s website Gunnar on Instagram Jacqui on Instagram iOverlander Want More? Overland Travel in West Africa Across 7 Countries (Part 1) with Gunnar Garfors & Jacqui Kunz 5 Surprising Experiences in Africa, How to Transition to a New Career After Travel, and Exploring the African Diaspora With Jay Cameron Adventure and Conservation - A 6,000 km Tuk-Tuk Journey Through Africa Thanks To Our Sponsors Earn Cash Back and rewards on nearly every purchase with Rakuten. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • How to Connect with Cultures Around the World with Dr. Kristina Wachter

    How to Connect with Cultures Around the World with Dr. Kristina Wachter
    Apr 7 2026
    What if the secret to a truly meaningful travel experience starts not when you land, but long before you ever pack a bag? Dr. Kristina Wachter is an award-winning professor, bestselling author, and CEO of Cross-Culture Connections. With over 25 years of experience in cross-cultural communication and education, she developed the Culture SPIN Method, a four-step framework trusted in 54 countries to help individuals and organizations turn cultural differences into genuine human connection. In this episode, Dr. Wachter walks us through her Culture SPIN Method and how it applies directly to travelers who want richer, more meaningful experiences on the road. She uses real-world business stories, her own travel mishaps, and a live case study with Jason to bring the whole thing to life. If you've ever shown up somewhere and felt like you were missing something, like you were skimming the surface of a place rather than really getting into it, this conversation is for you. Dr. Wachter breaks down the cross-cultural communication tips every traveler can actually use, from how to research a culture before you go, to how to recover gracefully when you inevitably get something wrong. Whether you're planning a two-week trip or building a life abroad, there's a lot here to chew on. What's a cultural moment from your own travels that surprised you or changed the way you see things? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you'll share by sending me an audio message. Tune In To Learn: Why the Culture SPIN Method starts with looking inward at yourself before you ever look outward at another culture How to build a personal "cultural Venn diagram" that maps your interests onto a new destination to create real connection opportunities Why one U.S. executive unknowingly drank $300,000 worth of tea in a single business meeting, and what he did next that actually saved the deal How a single joke in South Korea cost a businessman millions of dollars in 30 seconds, and what that means for travelers too Advice for doing genuine cultural research before a trip, including reading fiction, watching local media, and finding primary-source content Why "winging it" is one of the most common and costly mistakes people make when traveling or moving abroad How to handle cultural mistakes with humility and recover without losing the connection you're trying to build Why cultural agility, the ability to pivot and adapt without beating yourself up, is one of the most valuable skills any traveler can develop What "cultural courage" really means and how acting deliberately outside your comfort zone invites reciprocity and deeper human connection Why Rick Steves' idea of traveler responsibility hit home for Dr. Wachter And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Cross-Culture Connections Culture SPIN: Your 4-Step Toolkit for Global Leadership and Cross-Culture Success Get Dr. Wachter's free Cultural Courage Guide: ⁠info@crosscultureconnections.com⁠ Want More? 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Moving Abroad (Or Traveling Long-Term) with Chrishan Wright Top 10 Challenges Of Living Abroad with BoTik Quest Building a Life Abroad, Culture Shock, and Big Leaps with Traveling Jackie Thanks To Our Sponsors Earn Cash Back and rewards on nearly every purchase with Rakuten. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • The Journey Beyond Country Counting and Unexpected Kenya with Sarika Bansal

    The Journey Beyond Country Counting and Unexpected Kenya with Sarika Bansal
    Mar 31 2026
    What are you really looking for when you travel? Sarika Bansal is a travel writer, editor, and former editorial director of Afar magazine. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, and Vice, and she focuses on ethical storytelling, global perspectives, and the deeper impact of travel. She currently lives in Nairobi, Kenya, with her family. In this episode, Co-host Paige McClanahan talks with Sarika Bansal about how travel shapes us, from living in Kenya to trekking in the Everest region, and how those experiences influence the way we think about travel itself. This conversation explores what happens when we shift from collecting places to truly engaging with them, and how that shift can completely change the way we experience travel. Sarika shares stories from her own journey, from trekking in the Everest region to building a life in Kenya, and reflects on how stepping outside your comfort zone can reshape your worldview in unexpected ways. We also get into the idea of country counting, the value of returning to places, and how different stages of life influence not just where we go, but how we show up when we get there. What do you think matters more in travel, the number of places you visit or the depth of your experiences? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you'll share by sending me an audio message. Co-host Paige McClanahan is a writer, editor, and former journalist based in Paris, France. As the author of The New Tourist: Waking up to the Power and Perils of Travel, Paige is passionate about making sure our travels have a positive impact on the world. Get in touch and follow her on Substack. Tune In To Learn: Why Sarika’s move to Nairobi reshaped her daily life, pace, and perspective What drove her to travel writing and how growing up between the U.S. and India influenced her approach to storytelling and travel What a “questionable” volunteer trip taught her about ethics in travel early on How trekking in the Everest region while pregnant forced her to slow down What it’s like exploring quieter trails, monasteries, and local life beyond the Everest “highway” How climate change is visibly impacting fragile destinations like Everest Base Camp Why the idea of “country counting” breaks down when you question what it means to visit a place Sarika’s analogy between travel metrics and personal health, and why both can become misleading How different life stages, like traveling with kids, change how and where you explore Unexpected ways to experience Kenya, from DIY safaris to birdwatching and coastal towns And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Castle Forest Lodge Want More? Ethical Wildlife Tourism With Kristen Diederich The World’s Most Traveled Person on the Ethics of Gamifying Travel, Best Regions in the World, and Why To Keep Traveling With Harry Mitsidis of NomadMania How To Be a “New Tourist,” the Powers and Perils of Tourism, Embracing Tourist Traps, and the Impact of Travel With Paige McClanahan Thanks To Our Sponsors Earn Cash Back and rewards on nearly every purchase with Rakuten. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 6 mins