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

What does hell on earth look like?  Science writer and explorer Erika Engelhaupt takes us on a unique journey to “awesomely awful” destinations to explore the history, culture, and science behind seven of the most otherworldly locations around the world. Erika Engelhaupt is a science journalist and expert on all things macabre. Her work in National Geographic, Scientific American, and elsewhere has revealed the spooky science behind many taboo topics, including rotting corpses, bodily fluids, and other things that make her popular at dinner parties. She is the author of Gory Details: Adventures from the Dark Side of Science and her newest book, Go to Hell: A Traveler’s Guide to Earth’s Most Otherworldly Destinations. Erika shares insights into how cultures worldwide have visualized the afterlife, explores the natural phenomena behind these lesser-known “hellscapes,” and discusses her own experiences visiting places that challenge and redefine our sense of wonder. What’s the eeriest or most otherworldly place

Hear about travel to Normandy, France, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Kat Butler from World Wide Honeymoon and France Voyager about this historic and wonderful part of France. Why should you go to Normandy? Kay says, “Normandy, I think, just offers so much. My road trip, that I did last year, was literally to prove that there was so much more to Normandy than the D-Day beaches. You’ve got Mont Saint Michel, the cider route. You’ve got the countryside. I think that Normandy makes some of the best cheese. You have The beaches. You also have places like. Giverny. You’ve got Etretat, which has the beautiful cliffs. It’s well worth a visit.” Kat recommends a seven-day itinerary for Normandy, France, that offers a rich mix of history, culture, nature, and gastronomy. You can find that in the full show notes here. Did this episode make you want to start planning your trip to Normandy? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. This episode is a feed drop from the A

Would you take a road trip with strangers—across continents—in a $100 car or a converted school bus? How can ridiculous travel change your life for the better? Joel is one of the founders of Global Convoy, a travel movement built on trust, optimism, and a willingness to figure things out along the way. What started as a spontaneous idea to drive around the world in a beat-up car became a series of epic journeys involving strangers and a DIY spirit. Joel shares incredible stories of unpredictable roadblocks and unforgettable connections while navigating the Pan-American Highway in a converted school bus. He explains how Global Convoy grew into an inclusive community for travelers seeking to escape their comfort zones and embrace the “mayhem.”  He gives a fresh perspective to exploring the world on a budget, showing how to make incredible journeys possible without deep pockets or a perfect plan. You’ll learn practical tips to DIY your own adventure, insights on sustainable travel, leveraging community and colla

How can you make a smoother transition into your new life abroad? Relocation expert Chrishan Wright discusses the hidden challenges and unexpected mistakes people make when moving abroad. She shares lessons from her experience living in Portugal and offers valuable advice for both aspiring expats and long-term travelers. Chrishan Wright is the creator of Blaxit Global, a vibrant hub dedicated to providing information, inspiration, and empowerment for the global Black community seeking a fresh start abroad.  Chrishan highlights the top mistakes you may never have considered—from underestimating costs to the legal and healthcare surprises that can catch you off guard. She also shares valuable insights on integrating and adjusting to a new lifestyle and embracing personal growth as you navigate life in a foreign country. If you could move to any country tomorrow, where would you go and why? I'd love to know, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive

How can solo travel transform your life and career? What is travel influencing really like? Alyssa Ramos is one of the first solo female travel influencers. She’s the founder of My Life's A Travel Movie and has been traveling full-time as a living for over 10 years.  As someone who never actually set out to become an influencer, she shares her unexpected story of building a career around full-time travel, the realities of social media influencing and travel blogging, and her experience leading tours in Antarctica. Alyssa talks about the mindset shifts that helped her push past societal expectations and how solo travel has profoundly shaped her life and choices. She reveals the truth behind the lifestyle, addresses misconceptions, and provides insight into the positives and negatives of the industry.  You’ll also hear about what it’s like to travel to Antarctica and gain plenty of practical advice about the costs and logistics of planning your adventure. What’s the most transformative experience you’ve had whi

What does it mean to read the world, and how can it transform your perspective on global cultures? Ann Morgan is an author, novelist, and literary explorer based in Folkestone, UK. In 2012, she challenged herself to read a book from every country, recording her quest at ayearofreadingtheworld.com and in the non-fiction book Reading the World. Ann shares her experience, giving us powerful insights into literature’s ability to expand horizons and challenge preconceptions. She shares tips on finding books that challenge your worldview, the importance of reading outside your comfort zone, and how literature can reveal cultural blind spots. We talk about some of the challenges with reading globally and what to be cautious of when choosing what to read. You’ll walk away with fresh perspectives on how stories from around the globe can enrich your understanding of the world and your place in it. Which book from a different culture or country has impacted how you see the world? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope yo

Want to experience the real flavors of Europe? Eating Europe founder Kenny Dunn shares his eight food hacks in Europe for avoiding tourist traps and eaing like a local.  Since 2011, Eating Europe has guided over 400,000 travelers to the best local eats in 17 of Europe’s greatest cities. Their immersive culinary experiences allow travelers to discover where locals eat, hear the stories behind each dish, and interact with the people who make these iconic foods. Kenny’s insider tips will help you spot high-quality, authentic dishes anywhere in Europe, from Milan to Paris and beyond. You’ll learn not only about the best locations to visit but how to look for certain qualities in your food to ensure a delicious and authentic experience and why a food tour should be a part of your next adventure. What’s the best local dish you’ve discovered while traveling? I'd love to know what it was and why you loved it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive con

Looking for new travel ideas that go beyond the usual tourist hotspots? In this episode, Jason interviews Andrew Nelson, a two-time Lowell Thomas Award-winning travel journalist. Andrew’s new book, Here Not There, highlights lesser-known destinations and reveals hidden gems that can change your travel experience. As a travel expert and regular contributor to National Geographic Traveler, Andrew is known for discovering unique spots. His book encourages travelers to avoid crowded places and explore smarter with fresh alternatives to typical bucket list locations. Over-tourism is one of the biggest issues in global travel today, and this episode offers actionable tips to steer clear of crowded tourist spots while still having amazing experiences. Andrew’s knowledge is timely and will give you plenty of new ideas, whether you're looking at destinations in the US or beyond. If you could swap a popular tourist destination for a lesser-known gem, where would it be? I’d love to hear your ideas and I hope you’ll shar

What does it take to walk around the world, and what motivates someone to take on such a massive challenge? Tom Turcich enjoys walking, a lot. Actually, he might enjoy walking too much. Over seven years, he and his dog, Savannah, walked 25,000 miles across thirty-eight countries to become the 10th person and first dog to walk around the world.  In this special episode, I’m handing the mic over to Tom to interview Alexander Campbell, who started his own world walk in February 2023. Together, they share their unique perspectives on the physical, emotional, and logistical challenges of walking across multiple continents. At the time of this recording, Alex is 12,000km into his 40,000km trek. Starting from his hometown in Sydney, Australia, he’s traveled through Southeast Asia, Bangladesh, India, and recently completed crossing Nepal through the Himalayas. This episode offers a unique chance to listen in on a conversation between two world walkers, each with their own incredible stories. You'll hear about the cha

Tiffany Mathias, a self-confessed baseball stadium chaser, recounts her quest to visit every ballpark in the US, touring the stadiums, chatting to ushers and fans, and sampling the often eccentric local concessions—often as a solo traveler. To watch a game in a new stadium, says Tiffany, is “to be in her happy place.” This is a feed drop from Condé Nast Traveler's podcast Women Who Travel. What kind of unique travel experience do you want to have? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share 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 Thanks To Our Sponsors Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order. Airalo - Get $3 off your first eSIM with the promo code ‘ZTT.’ Women Who Travel Podcast - Pack your bags and go on a journey with the Women Who Travel podcast.

How can you cultivate your creativity and pursue your passions? What unique museums should you add to your US travel bucket list?  It's a double episode today as award-winning illustrator, writer, and cartoonist Bob Eckstein shares his practical advice for pursuing your creativity and the best-of-the-best museums to visit in the United States. Bob Eckstein has contributed to The New Yorker, The New York Times, Reader's Digest, and Smithsonian Magazine, among others. His recent book, Footnotes from the Most Fascinating Museums, serves as a smart, entertaining love letter to museums and museumgoers, filled with lush and whimsical illustrations that appear alongside stories and anecdotes from curators, museum workers, museum visitors, and more. Don't think museums are for you? Listen in, as Bob's stories and unusual recommendations may have you reconsider!  In addition to his list, we talk about how he overcame life's challenges to follow his passion for the arts and his experience putting the book together. Bob

Listen in to find out what new and epic conversations you can expect to hear on Zero To Travel this month!  What topics and themes do you want to learn more about on the podcast? I'd love to get 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! Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Thanks To Our Sponsors Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order. Airalo - Get $3 off your first eSIM with the promo code ‘ZTT.’ Women Who Travel Podcast - Pack your bags and go on a journey with the Women Who Travel podcast.

How can you create a life of travel with an unconventional career like filmmaking, and what can it teach you about the world and yourself? Mike Day shares how he transitioned from working in museums to becoming an award-winning IMAX documentary filmmaker and the lessons he learned from traveling the world. Mike Day has served as the Executive Producer of over a dozen documentary films shot in IMAX. His work has taken him to magnificent worldwide locations, which he’s written about in his book, "The World Has a Big Backyard." Mike’s stories offer a unique glimpse into the world of IMAX documentary filmmaking, showcasing the dedication, resourcefulness, and mindfulness needed to bring nature’s wonders to life on the big screen.  You’ll hear tips on practicing mindfulness during travel, how to handle uncomfortable cultural experiences that you may disagree with (like bullfighting in Spain), the importance of self-care on the road, having authentic experiences, his top favorite museums in the world, and what it w

How do both comedy and travel help you embrace the unexpected? Comedian Ari Shaffir is best known for his 2 Netflix specials, 2 Comedy Central specials, and for hosting Comedy Central’s weekly storytelling series, This Is Not Happening. He was also a regular panelist on @Midnight and Conan. Ari is the host of the podcast Skeptic Tank and has recently released a new podcast called You Be Trippin,’ where he interviews real folks about their messed up disasters and memorable travel experiences.    Ari shares stories of his time on tour, and we talk about his philosophy of embracing the chaos of travel. You’ll hear about the unique cultural experiences that come with being a comedian on the road, gain insights into the art of comedy, and get a different view on the importance of dark humor.  During this humorous and insightful conversation, he shares some great, no-nonsense travel advice, insights on reframing plateaus, how psychedelics can help you tap into new perspectives, and much more. What’s the most unexpe

Have you thought about hitting pause on your career to travel the world but are unsure how to make it a reality? It's not as unattainable as you may think! Cali O'Connor shares her experience of taking multiple career breaks and offers 5 practical steps to start planning your own career break today. Cali is a former chemical engineer who traded her career in the oilfield for a life-changing adventure of quitting her job to travel around the world. Now, Cali helps working professionals find clarity in their lives by taking a career break that gives them the freedom to travel, explore, and realign with their life goals.  Whether you dream of quitting your job or taking a temporary pause, this episode will give you the confidence and strategies to take that leap. You'll hear about her biggest mistakes during her first career break (and how to avoid them), insights on overcoming common fears such as financial insecurity and leaving a stable job, travel advice to save time and money, and lessons on concurring trav

Traveling abroad had such an impact on Rick early on, that he chose to dedicate his life to helping others see the world. In 1976, he launched Rick Steves’ Europe and, over time, built a travel empire along with a community of raving fans (including me!). His best-selling guidebook series, public television show, public radio show, syndicated travel column, small group tours, free resources, and other media all align with his core mission to help people get out and travel Europe. Rick has had a huge influence on me, both personally and professionally. His recommendations helped shape some of my early trips to Europe, ultimately leading to my life of travel. Rick also showed me it was possible to craft a career around my passion for helping others travel the world. Needless to say, he’s been a dream guest for me, and it was an absolute honor to chat with him and share this conversation with you today. What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you will share them

How can you create a more balanced, location-independent life? Podcast host and author of Digital Nomads for Dummies Kristin Wilson talks about the evolution of her travel lifestyle from expat to digital nomad and the unique challenges and rewards of living a location-independent life. Our conversation covers a wide range of topics related to digital nomadism, lifestyle design, and personal growth. Over the last 20 years, Kristin Wilson has lived and worked in over 63 countries. Her journey began with an unexpected move to Costa Rica, where she lived as an expat before transitioning to a nomadic lifestyle. Kristin's passion for travel and expertise in helping others relocate and work remotely has made her a leading voice in the digital nomad community. Her podcast, Traveling with Kristin, shares how to move abroad and design your life for more flexibility, travel, and free time.  Kristin’s story provides practical advice on managing burnout, finding balance in a nomadic life no matter where you are on your jo

Has a big epiphany ever caused you to instantly alter the trajectory of something in your life? When listener and international piano entertainer Matt Fetbrandt 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 (at the time of recording), Matt has traveled over 16,000 miles through 34 U.S. states and 18 national parks with no plans of stopping. In this episode, you're going 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. Matt shares about what it took for him to change a lifetime of habits and his journey to recovery from addiction. We talk about how travel can be a bridge to create connections, why he felt he needed travel to grow, and being analytical vs. spontaneous. You'll hear about his life as a piano man and stories from the road. Matt also shares some counterintuitive advice that may not make sense to most. Will i

Do you want to live your best travel life? Mike Savas shares his practical strategies and mindset shifts to help you make big changes and start living your most epic life today. Mike is an adventure seeker, entrepreneur, and positivity influencer who focuses on leading and inspiring others by example. After quitting his corporate job, Mike joined Bon Jovi's team and founded SUPER, a VIP experience company that elevates the fan experience. His clients have included The Rolling Stones, President Obama, Oprah, Eminem, Katy Perry, and more.  Mike Savas shares his journey from leaving corporate to living his best life, traveling to places like Nepal to help after an earthquake, and working with global artists and personalities through his business. You'll gain insight into how to make decisions and get off the fence if you're struggling, how to tune in with your instincts and allow them to guide you, why every work or life experience has value, and why you should never underestimate your ability to make an impact.

If a new opportunity comes your way, are you ready to take it? When professional photographer 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 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, and a 60-second challenge to help you find new adventures. 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. *This month, we're sharing previous episodes highlighting travel