

Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast
A Travel Podcast
Out of Office is a travel podcast hosted by us, Ryan Davis and Kiernan Schmitt. From early childhood, we were each infected with a serious case of wanderlust (among other things.)
We define travel broadly, from local day trips to high-flyin’ overseas adventures. Every episode, we dig into one topic—ranging from the serious to the silly, the practical to the outlandish—and give advice on how to get out there and explore the world.
We define travel broadly, from local day trips to high-flyin’ overseas adventures. Every episode, we dig into one topic—ranging from the serious to the silly, the practical to the outlandish—and give advice on how to get out there and explore the world.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 9, 2025 • 50min
Detroit 201
On this episode of Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast, Kiernan loads up the family and heads to sunny Detroit. On our previous Detroit episode (Epi 153), we focused on the art and major tourist attractions, and this time around we hit up Detroit’s surprisingly lovely nature (read: Belle Isle) and amazing local eats (read: Dearborn, MI.) Things we talk about on this week’s episode: Saint Sebastian is a gay icon https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/stories/lgbt-artwork-marks-saint-sebastian-feast-day Basilica of Saint Sebastian Outside the Walls https://www.turismoroma.it/en/places/basilica-san-sebastiano-outside-walls Detroit 101 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/detroit-101/id1438098925?i=1000617683551 Detroit Riverfront https://www.detroitriverfront.org/ Cullen Family Carousel https://www.detroitriverfront.org/plan-your-visit/things-to-do/cullen-family-carousel-seasonal Belle Isle https://www.belleisleconservancy.org/ Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse http://detroithistorical.org/learn/online-research/encyclopedia-of-detroit/livingstone-memorial-lighthouse The Gothic Room https://www.detroithistorical.org/exhibitions/gothic-room James Scott Memorial Fountain https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/james-scott-memorial-fountain Halal Food Guru https://www.tiktok.com/@halalfoodguru Altayeb https://www.yelp.com/biz/altayeb-of-dearborn-dearborn Pupuseria https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Salvadoran&find_loc=Detroit%2C+MI Leila https://www.leiladetroit.com/ Detroit style pizza https://www.bonappetit.com/story/best-pizza-restaurants-detroit?srsltid=AfmBOooztxdpsnekr53gxRIgkbl654hgGtOqjTYgjNCaX1QnyzGizSbO Boston’s Detroit Pizza Co https://www.dpcboston.com/s/order#most-popular Pie Sci https://piescipizza.com/ Ryan can’t go to Singapore https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz60z98nzx7o

Aug 26, 2025 • 39min
Guatapé, Colombia
On this episode of Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast, Ryan takes us to Guatapé, Colombia, land of big rocks and little zócalos, with an interview with tour guide Oscar Lujan. Plus, Kiernan takes us back to London for a preview of The Darkest Hour: The Musical. Things we talk about on this week’s episode: Oscar: https://www.instagram.com/medellinpeaks/ Ryan: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNbi4w4pQzI/?igsh=MWR0ZnczM2doczBxeg%3D%3D Kiernan: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/british-history-royals-rebels-and-romantics/id1516524780

Aug 12, 2025 • 1h 8min
Festivals All Over The World
This week on “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” Kiernan chats with Daniel Stables, the author of the new book “Fiesta”, which chronicles Daniel’s journey around the world attending parties, shindigs, ceremonies, gatherings, jamborees, and other alluring functions! Things we talk about on this week’s episode: “Fiesta” by Daniel Stables https://www.iconbooks.com/ib-title/fiesta/ Garcia Marquez laid to rest https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36355670 Benjamin Pollock’s Toy Shop https://www.pollocks-coventgarden.co.uk/

Jul 29, 2025 • 1h 1min
Traveling with Children Part 1
This week on “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” a listener request! Kiernan offers tips, tricks, watch-outs, and must-dos when traveling with children. From gear to diversionary tactics, this is a must-listen for wanderlusty parents. Things we talk about on this week’s episode: Anker external batteries https://www.anker.com/collections/power-banks Puro headphones https://purosound.com/ “America, América” https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/747326/america-america-by-greg-grandin/ “Fiesta” by Daniel Stables https://www.iconbooks.com/ib-title/fiesta/ Charlie's Place https://lnk.to/CharliesPlace-OutofOffice

Jul 15, 2025 • 51min
Souvenirs (Return Trip to Episode #8)
Ryan has been laid low with an exotic Mexican stomach bug, so this week on “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” the boys are revisiting an old favorite: a friendly chat about how to pick souvenirs that will powerfully evoke memories without powerfully draining your bank account. This one is a tried and true classic from the archive. Wish Ryan a steady recover with a 5-star review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/out-of-office-a-travel-podcast/id1438098925

Jul 1, 2025 • 47min
First Trip to Rome (Part 2)
This week on “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” the boys continue their discussion of must-see museums, churches, and curiosities in Rome. Plus, you’ll learn why cappuccinos are called that—and how they relate to rooms decorated with bones! Things We Talked About on Today’s Episode: National Museum of Rome https://www.rome-museum.com/national-roman-museum.php Capitoline Museums http://museicapitolini.org/en/node Capuchin Crypt https://museoecriptacappuccini.it/en/the-crypt/ Cat Ruins https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/torre-argentina-roman-cat-sanctuary Bocca della Verita https://www.rome.net/mouth-of-truth Ostia Antica https://www.ostia-antica.org/ Trastevere https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trastevere Where to Travel Now…While You Can https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b07NlIkKDc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5PAA3WIWtg New Giant Marble Head! https://x.com/gualtierieurope/status/1936334736198144396

Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 4min
Your First Trip To Paris
Kiernan takes us to the City of Lights—Paris!—for a magical trip from French Impressionists to the gargoyles of Notre Dame. Plus, how to read stained glass like comic books and take home some museum-quality taxidermy. And Ryan reflects on the passing of Edmund White.

Jun 3, 2025 • 39min
Last-Min Summer Trip Planning
This week on “Out of Office: A Travel Podcast,” the boys share their insider knowledge on how to lock down fantastic trips and deals even if you’re a little late to the party. Hidden National Parks, secret city hideaways, and booking schemes await! Things We Talked About on Today’s Episode: Julie Klausner https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/podcasts/how-was-your-week/ Boop the Musical https://boopthemusical.com/ North Cascades https://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm Isle Royale https://www.nps.gov/isro/index.htm Great Sand Dunes https://www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm Mesa Verde https://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm Badlands https://www.nps.gov/badl/index.htm Rapid City Sculptor episode https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/city-of-presidents-with-james-van-nuys/id1438098925?i=1000451011128 Canyonlands https://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm Bear Ears National Monument https://www.blm.gov/visit/bears-ears-national-monument Great State Parks episode https://outofofficepod.com/podcast/episode-43-state-parks-with-peter-kujawinski/ Great State Parks NYT article https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/21/travel/state-parks-visit-colorado-nc-florida.html Google Flights “Explore” function https://www.google.com/travel/explore Skyscanner “Explore Everywhere” function https://www.skyscanner.com/transport/flights-from/us/?adultsv2=1&cabinclass=economy&childrenv2=&ref=home&rtn=1&preferdirects=false&outboundaltsenabled=false&inboundaltsenabled=false&oym=2507&iym=2507 AirBNB Experiences announcement https://news.airbnb.com/airbnb-2025-summer-release/ The Walker Library of the History of Human Imagination https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Library_of_the_History_of_Human_Imagination

May 20, 2025 • 1h 3min
Romania 101
This week on Out of Office: A Travel Podcast, Ryan takes us to Romania—visiting Bucharest, Brașov, and Cluj-Napoca. Expect puppets, dictator mansions, and steampunk exhibits along the way. Things We Talked About In Today's Episode: - Ceaușescu Mansion https://timharford.com/2024/04/cautionary-tales-the-rise-and-fall-of-a-megalomaniac/ - Palace of the Parliament - "Dimitrie Gusti" National Village Museum - Carturesti Verona - The Puck Puppet Theater https://teatrulpuck.ro/?lang=en @tomiksz13 the puppeteer https://www.instagram.com/tomiksz13?

May 6, 2025 • 1h 15min
First Trip to Rome (Part 1)
On this episode of Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast, the boys treat the ancient aqueducts like a flume ride and splash right into Rome! Kiernan and Ryan talk Emperors, SPQR, why columns make the best decor, plus just a touch of new Pope speculation. Our episode on Vatican City: https://outofofficepod.com/podcast/episode-197-vatican-city/ Things We Talked About on Today’s Episode: “The Fall of Rome” podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fall-of-rome-podcast/id1141563910 “SPQR” by Mary Beard https://a.co/d/71DS93Z “Roman Holiday” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rL5QxXF0g8 Colosseum https://colosseo.it/en/area/the-colosseum/ Forum https://colosseo.it/en/area/the-roman-forum/ Palatine Hill https://colosseo.it/en/area/the-palatine/ Pantheon https://www.pantheonroma.com/home-eng/ Borghese Gallery https://galleriaborghese.beniculturali.it/en/ Bath of Diocletian https://museonazionaleromano.beniculturali.it/en/baths-of-diocletian/ Trevi Fountain https://www.blacktomato.com/us/inspirations/the-history-of-romes-trevi-fountain/ Spanish Steps https://romesite.com/spanish-steps.html Catacombs of Saint Sebastian https://www.catacombe.org/ Lego Trevi Fountain https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/trevi-fountain-21062