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

What better way to experience and connect with a culture than through its food? Today I’m joined by Eating Europe founder Kenny Dunn to learn how travel led him to discover his passion for food and get expert insight on the top 10 authentic food experiences you don’t want to miss when visiting Europe. Since 2011, Eating Europe has guided over 300,000 travelers to the best local eats in 10 of Europe’s greatest cities, allowing them to discover where locals go out to eat, hear the stories behind each dish, and interact with the people who make these iconic foods. In addition to Kenny’s highly-curated list, we’ll dig into his entrepreneurial journey and how his failed around-the-world adventure ultimately led him to start the first food tour company in Rome. You’ll also learn how he discovers these places so you can enjoy more authentic food experiences and meet more locals anywhere in the world yourself!  What’s your favorite food memory? Which of Kenny’s top 10 are you adding to your bucket list? I'd love to h

What comes to mind when you think of Wisconsin? Today I’m joined by Anne, Cassie, and Casey from Travel Wisconsin to help you discover the unexpected wonders waiting for you in the Badger State.  Wisconsin is filled with friendly locals, incredible food, amazing culture, and epic outdoor adventure – and you’re going to get a big heaping slice of all that today! In this episode, we explore the incredible immersive experiences that allow you to connect with the local food scene and community and the outdoor recreation opportunities you can’t find anywhere else (plus a one-of-a-kind trail that I just added to my bucket list!). We’ll also talk about some of the unique Indigenous cultural offerings and why every traveler should make tribal tourism a part of their journey. What are you most excited to experience in Wisconsin? 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 monthly bonus episode (de

Here's a powerful question to ask yourself, "Am I using your time well?". Jerry Kopack is an author, speaker, and recovering cubicle dweller. After doing his time in corporate America, he founded and ran a hospice for 10 years. Through serving patients at the end of their lives, Jerry learned the greatest lesson, one not found in any business school or cubicle - the value of time. In this episode, Jerry shares what he’s learned from caring for the dying and how that led to building a life of travel and bike packing around the globe. You’ll learn why he refers to his corporate career as “soulless” and how he unexpectedly discovered his passion for hospice care, how a two-month bike tour turned into nearly two years and the invaluable insights he discovered about himself and the human experience along the way. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode 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 monthly bonus episod

Today I'm joined by Jamie Leibert - aka Captain Manicorn - and Sandra Zinovyev to talk about their incredible story of overcoming adversity and relentlessly pursuing their dream of becoming the first people to fly a parachute in every country. Jamie and Sandra are on a nearly impossible mission where one wrong decision could cost them their lives. Their goal is to leave behind a legacy that inspires future generations of adventure lovers to beat the odds stacked against them by showing them how to turn an impossible dream into a possible one. In this incredibly raw conversation, Jamie and Sandra discuss their difficult pasts with childhood trauma, incarceration, and addiction and the obstacles they continue to face while on the road. This episode goes beyond their adventures in air sports, offering valuable insight on how to shift your perspectives, overcome challenges, and fulfill your dreams (plus what to do when that dream doesn't make you happy). Trigger Warning: This episode discusses drug use, addict

Is visiting the Florida Keys on your travel bucket list? If not, it should be! Today I'm joined by Elizabeth Harryman Lasley and Jason Paton of the Florida Keys Traveler podcast to explore five reasons why you should plan a trip to the Keys. This episode will open your eyes to the unsuspecting magic of the Florida Keys as we dive into the rich history, food, and culture that makes this destination one of the most iconic places to visit. You'll learn why Ernest Hemingway called this place home, what sponge fishing and my favorite pie have in common, and the exciting ways you can experience the only coral reef in the continental US.  Stick around after the interview for a short episode from Florida Keys Traveler, which ties into my number one reason to visit (and is a personal dream of mine)! Do you share the same dream as I do? Have you experienced something like this yourself? I'd love to hear from you. Send me an audio message and let me know! Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podca

I’m excited to bring you part two of my conversation with Thorbjørn Pedersen, the first person ever to visit every country in the world in a single journey without flying. At the time of this recording, Thor was just beginning his trek home on a container ship. Can you imagine not being home for an entire decade? In this episode, Thor and I continue our conversation around the good, the bad, and the ugly of his epic 10-year quest around the globe. He shares about the chance encounters that profoundly impacted his journey, the importance of leaving a positive impression wherever you go, and he gets brutally honest about the challenges he’ll face once he returns home. This episode will help you to have a true sense of the realities of taking on such a huge project and inspire you to push towards your goals, whatever they may be. What was your biggest takeaway from Thor’s journey? 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 privat

Is traveling to every country on your bucket list? Today I’m joined by Thorbjørn Pedersen, the first person to visit every country in the world in a single journey without flying! In this episode, Thor and I unpack some of the many lessons he learned on this audacious 10-year quest. He shares what kept him going despite the mental stress and traumatic experiences, how this adventure has changed him, and how he’s maintained a long-distance relationship through it all. Make sure to catch part two of this episode on Thursday! What is your ultimate travel goal? 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 monthly bonus episode (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: Thor’s take on what it means to travel the world without flying and the stipulations he set for himself Who

Every now and then, I like to drop an extra episode! This week, I'm pulling one of my favorites from the archives.  Nanjala Nyabola is a writer, humanitarian advocate, political analyst, and author of Travelling While Black: Essays Inspired by a Life on the Move. In this episode, we dive into giving back as a traveler, the impact that travel can have on your relationship with fear, how to recognize privilege, and why you can and should do many various things in life (no niching required). What resonated most with you in this episode? Let me know by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a monthly bonus episode (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 idea of defining a mission for yourself and pursuing it authentically The unspoken barriers of traveling with an African passport Recognizing privilege and what we can do to

Do you feel like it's time to do a 180 on your life? Moving abroad may be the answer! Cepee Tabibian is the founder of She Hit Refresh, a global community for women over 30 who want to break free from a life of routine and move abroad. In this episode, Cepee and I talk about how to use travel to create radical change in your life. You'll learn about the realities of living abroad, why you should consider certain countries based on your long-term goals, advice on establishing a business while abroad, and so much more.  What city would you move to? 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 monthly bonus episode (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 importance of having an advocate when considering travel or moving overseas How travel helped Cepee face her limiti

Are you curious about what it’s like to attend a psychedelic retreat? Today I’m joined by Sonia Kreitzer, facilitator at Beckley Retreats, to learn more about her story as a musician and song healer and to help me unpack my experience with psychedelic plant medicine. In this episode, Sonia shares how travel impacted her life, what led her to work with plant medicine, and some of her experiences around that. I’ll also share what it was like to attend a Beckley Retreat and my biggest takeaways and insights that have come from the experience. Disclaimer: This episode discusses using psychedelics and plant medicines, which are illegal in most countries. This is not medical advice and should not be taken as a recommendation to use psychedelics. What are your thoughts on psychedelic retreats? 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 monthly bonus episode (decided on by YOU), exclusive conte

Neil Markey is the CEO of Beckley Retreats, an organization that offers psychedelic wellness retreats with the aim to bridge the latest scientific research with ancient wisdom traditions to create the richest possible experience for their participants. In this episode, Neil and I talk about the framework of a psychedelic retreat and how this kind of plant medicine is being used for therapeutic purposes to create transformational opportunities and lasting change. If you’ve ever been curious about psychedelic tourism, this episode is for you! Disclaimer: This episode discusses using psychedelics and plant medicines, which are illegal in most countries. This is not medical advice and should not be taken as a recommendation to use psychedelics. The topic of suicide is mentioned in this episode. Would you go on a psychedelic retreat? 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 monthly bonus e

This episode is sponsored by NordVPN. Get an exclusive NordVPN deal at www.nordvpn.com/zerototravel. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! Have you ever thought about taking a trip around the world? How about on a motorcycle? Mike Barr quit his real estate job in New York City and sold all of his belongings to embark on a round-the-world motorcycle tour. He’s now using his time on the road to build his photography and writing portfolio and has traveled over 40,000 miles at the time of this recording. In this episode, Mike shares why he decided to prioritize adventure over college debt, how his hobbies influence his solo travel experience, why it’s important to create your own system when traveling, his advice on motorcycle touring, and more. Even if you never plan on traveling by motorcycle, this episode will help you unpack whatever is next for you on your journey. What type of round-the-world adventure would you take? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you will share them by sending m

Are you considering a gap year or career break? Julia Rogers is a professional gap year coach and founder of EnRoute Consulting, a social enterprise dedicated to fueling the gap year movement and developing a generation of compassionate and resourceful global citizens. No matter your age, this episode has a ton of value! Julia shares her best advice for tackling a gap year from a mindset perspective, questions to consider when planning, how to afford a gap year, and available programs and resources. What life skills or goals would you want to accomplish with a gap year or career break? Where would you go? I'd love for you to share your thoughts by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a monthly bonus episode (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 Julia discovered her passion for travel The transformative experience o

Want to save thousands of dollars on Airbnbs and short-term rentals? Of course you do! Today I'm joined by Zach Busekrus to talk about how to save money on Airbnbs and tips for starting your own short-term rental business.  Zach and his wife spent 15 months traveling and living in Airbnbs full-time. They now operate a business called Sponstayneous, which sends last-minute deals and upcoming steals on Airbnb directly to your inbox. This episode has a ton of gold that you won't want to miss! Zach breaks down his tactics for scoring epic last-minute deals, including using dynamic pricing and listing rankings to your advantage and the three core windows you need to watch out for. He also shares insight into running a short-term rental business and the latest trends for a successful rental. Which tactic will you try first? 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 monthly bonus episode (dec

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

What happens when you say yes to adventure? Jackie Nourse (aka Traveling Jackie) is a long-term solo traveler, podcaster, and blogger who founded JUMP Adventures to meet her listeners and readers offline to travel together through the most epic corners of the planet. In this episode, Jackie shares the top five hidden highlights from her travels and the biggest lessons and perspective shifts these moments created. Her thought-provoking insights will inspire you to embrace the unknown, seize every opportunity, and watch the adventure unfold before you. What have been some of your hidden highlights? 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 monthly bonus episode (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 story behind Jackie’s adventure travel company  How challengin

Do you want to create your own path and build a life around your passions? Today I'm joined by author Tony Fletcher to talk about his experience interviewing music legends and his lessons from backpacking the world. Tony has lived an incredible life, building a career around his passion for writing and music. He's conducted over 1,000 interviews and has written several best-selling biographies of famous musicians like Keith Moon, Wilson Pickett, R.E.M., and The Smiths. In this episode, Tony shares what it was like to run a fanzine at 13 and the importance of getting out of your comfort zone. He gives valuable insight on how to connect with others on a deeper level, how travel can lead to profound reflection, and his #1 tip for maximizing your next travel experience. Do you have a life-changing travel moment? I'd love to hear your story and hope you will share it by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Want access to the private Zero To Travel podcast feed, a monthly bonus episode (decided on by YOU)

Today we have a special episode from Hidden Trails of Oregon, a documentary-style podcast designed to put you in the heart of Oregon's most spectacular travel experiences.  In this episode, award-winning travel writer and host Aaron Millar takes us on an immersive first-person journey across America's wild, weird, and wonder-filled state. You'll join Aaron on the Central Nature Trail as he snowshoes to the top of Watchman Peak, paddles along the Deschutes River, descends 1,000 feet underground into a lava tube, and fly fishes with a Native American guide. Resources: Read the full show notes Listen to Hidden Trails of Oregon on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: This episode was recorded before the conflict in Sudan, and Jacqui has since left the country. For additional information and ways to support the Sudanese people, visit eyesonsudan.net and follow Jacqui on Instagram. Why would someone choose to travel to the world's most dangerous places? Today I'm joined by Jacquelyn Kunz, the first female to travel independently through Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control. In this episode, Jacqui shares some of the toughest moments from her time in Afghanistan, what led her to move to Sudan, and her life as an ex-pat. We also talk about what it was like to hitchhike in Iraq and how these experiences have shifted her outlook on life. Do you consider yourself a risk-taker? 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 monthly bonus episode (decided on by YOU), exclusive content, direct access to me to answer your questio

Have you considered a ski trip to Bulgaria? Are you thinking about traveling with a group but unsure if it's right for you? Today I'm back on the mic with Travis Sherry, founder of Extra Pack of Peanuts and co-founder of Location Indie, to talk about our recent group trip to Bulgaria. Through his community and podcast, Extra Pack of Peanuts, Travis teaches travel lovers how to find the best flights and experience amazing trips that fit their lifestyle and budget. He's also the co-founder of Location Indie, a community that helps people discover different ways to travel and work from anywhere in the world.  In this episode, Travis and I share our impressions of Bulgaria, what it was like to travel with 19 people, the pros and cons of group travel, and why you may want to consider this style of travel for yourself. You'll also hear about Camp Indie, an adult summer camp and conference in June that you don't want to miss! Where would you want to go on a group trip? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you wil