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

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

Have you ever wondered how to invest in your future while embracing a travel-centered present? Today I am joined by Kristin Meador, a financial expert who specializes in supporting location-independent businesses, in learning about best practices for managing your finances no matter where you are and what you're doing. After years of working 80+ hour weeks for a large accounting firm, Kristin's burnout caused her to make a radical change - sell everything and travel. About a year into her journey, she realized that she could use her skills as a corporate CPA to create her own cloud-based accounting business and create a location-independent lifestyle. She founded Gradient Accounting when she realized she could meet the unique needs of digital nomads, providing simple answers to sometimes scary and complex questions. If want to be sure you are making the best approach toward money management and travel, then you won't want to miss today's episode. Kristin shares the story of how travel inspired her to start he

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel like a great historical adventurer?  Today I am joined by Elise Wortley, a journalist on a mission to quite literally walk in the shoes of some of history’s most fierce female explorers. After reading Alexandra David-Néel’s book My Journey to Lhasa at age 16 (and again at 28), Elise was left with many questions about the trials and tribulations Alexandra must have faced being a female traveler in the early 1900s. In search of answers, she set off to India to follow in the author’s footsteps, using only items that would have been available during the original journey - a Yak wool coat and wooden backpack. This trip has snowballed into multiple adventures sprinkled throughout the globe, tracing footprints from the past. If you love adventure, you will not want to miss this episode. Elise shares epic stories from her travels and describes exactly what it was like to travel without modern luxuries, important lessons she’s learned from the journeys, actions sh

Do you feel up to speed on the latest travel trends? Today I am joined by travel journalist, author, podcast host, and dear friend to the show, Paige McClanahan, to discuss 3 travel trends you should know before planning your next trip.  Paige has lived in 6 countries since leaving the United States in 2008. She is currently living with her family in the French Alps and is a regular contributor to the New York Times and other popular publications.  If you plan on traveling internationally in the coming year, you will not want to miss this episode. We dive deep into 3 travel trends Paige has highlighted in some of her recent articles for the NY Times. These insights will help you enhance your next travel experience by showing you when & where to book, what type of transportation to utilize, how to create synergy in a tourist destination and so much more.  What destination are you planning on visiting next? I'd love to hear all about it and hope you will share by sending me an audio message. Today’s episode is

What is it that motivates you to travel? Today I am joined by esteemed travel writer and teacher Rolf Potts to talk about his new book The Vagabond’s Way and dive into how anybody can enrich their lives through maintaining a traveler’s mindset, even at home.  Rolf Potts has reported from over 60 countries for publications like National Geographic, NPR, and Travel Channel. He has lectured all over the world and hosts a yearly writer's workshop. His travels have brought him through 6 continents, including boating 900 miles down the Mekong in Laos, hitchhiking in Eastern Europe, bicycling in Burma, and traveling for 6 weeks across the world with no luggage or bags, and much more. His first book Vagabonding was published in 2003 and was of paramount importance in my own travel journey. If you love to travel as much as me, then this episode will be extra special. We dive into exactly how travel changes our inner and outer perspective, allows us to embrace unseen parts of self, and try on new identities. We also di

Have you ever wanted to enhance your creativity?  Today I am joined by musician and creative powerhouse Andy Frasco to discuss how he keeps his creative juices flowing. For over 15 years, Andy has toured as the frontman of Andy Frasco & The U.N. After forming in 2007, the band has released 10 studio albums and toured the world several times. Their newest album Wash, Rinse, Repeat was released in April 2022 and their current world tour is taking place through 2023. In addition to music, Andy also hosts Andy Frasco’s World Saving Podcast, a weekly podcast that focuses on the adventure life brings to those who dare to pursue their dreams and travel. As someone who has made a living based on creativity and travel for many years, Andy knows a thing or two about keeping the creative fire alive and fighting off imposter syndrome. Tune in to this week's episode to learn all about how Andy approaches the creative process, his favorite cities to visit on tour, how to move past self-imposed constraints, and so much more