

Zero To Travel Podcast
Jason Moore
✈️ The Zero To Travel Podcast has been downloaded 12+ million times and named a "Best Travel Podcast" by The Washington Post, Travel + Leisure, The Telegraph, and Forbes.Packed with life-changing perspectives, inspiration, and practical advice for everyone from travel newbies to nomads, this podcast will give you everything you need to travel the world on your terms, regardless of your situation or experience. Welcome to our amazing global listening community!Since 2013, "Travel Ambassador" Jason Moore from zerototravel.com has been picking the brains of adventurous people living an unconventional life on the road so you can discover new ways to travel endlessly.Along the way, you'll get actionable advice and key resources that will improve your life AND help you travel more as we get down and dirty on topics like; starting and running an online business from anywhere, the best off-the-beaten-path destinations to visit, travel and work opportunities, gutsy budget travel strategies, surprising ways to earn free travel, the digital nomad life, unconventional travel based lifestyles, fun travel jobs, how to plan epic adventures, backpacking, remote work, how to take a gap year or a career break, 4-hour work week inspired topics, ex-pat life, slow travel, travel hacking, sustainable travel, human-powered adventures, trips worth planning, and everything in between.Host Bio: Jason wandered the planet as a nomad for over a decade and spent 15+ years on the road as a tour manager in events/music, a seasonal adventure travel tour guide, and a digital nomad. Originally from the USA, he is now a dual citizen (Norway/USA) based in Oslo. He is obsessed with helping YOU explore our planet on your terms.Follow the show (it's FREE!) and welcome to the global community. 🙏PS - To sign up for our free newsletter to get travel tips, tricks, destination advice, and more visit zerototravel.com/newsletterPPS - If you'd like to access our paid premium feed with ad-free shows, bonus episodes, and more for just $3/month go to zerototravel.com/premium.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 29, 2025 • 1h 1min
5 Unexpected Things to Do in Paris and 3 Hidden Gems in France with Paige McClanahan
Join journalist Paige McClanahan, author of The New Tourist, as she shares her insider knowledge from seven years in France. Discover five unexpected experiences in Paris, like the serene charm of a lesser-known park and the cultural immersion found in a hammam near the Grand Mosque. Learn why simple greetings can enhance your journey and how curiosity can lead to revolutionary history. Paige also highlights offbeat French gems, including the enchanting coastal city of La Rochelle, urging travelers to explore beyond the usual tourist paths.

Jul 24, 2025 • 1h 21min
Digital Detox: Downsizing Your Digital Life to Create Freedom + Reboot Your Lifestyle Business with Corbett Barr
Corbett Barr, a seasoned entrepreneur and digital detox advocate, shares his transformative journey toward a balanced life after stepping back from the tech grind. He discusses the liberating effects of minimizing digital noise, focusing on only what brings joy. The conversation touches on the stress of entrepreneurship, creative burnout, and rethinking social media habits. Corbett also explores life in Mexico, his passion for pickleball, and the importance of designing a lifestyle business that aligns with personal aspirations, encouraging listeners to embrace intentional living.

Jul 22, 2025 • 1h 39min
How to Plan Your Camino + Going Beyond the Camino Frances (Secret Routes, Donkey Highways, and Spain’s Hidden Village Network) with Shawn and Lainey
In this enlightening discussion, travel writer Shawn Forno and swing dance teacher Lainey Silver share their unique journey through the Caminos of Spain. They explore how modern pilgrimages offer transformation through stillness and community connection. From practical advice on planning routes to the joy of indulging in local cuisine, their insights reveal the beauty of a slower travel pace. They also delve into hidden routes and the power of walking to reset one's life. This conversation is a refreshing take on embracing the journey, not just the destination.

Jul 17, 2025 • 1h 26min
What Is “Happiness”? Discovering Meaning on the Silk Road with Will Rickard
Will Rickard, author of 'The Silk Road to Happiness,' shares insights from his transformative travels through Central Asia. He dives into the complexities of happiness, discussing themes like purpose, minimalism, and the importance of authentic connections with locals. Will reflects on the tension between gratitude for one’s current life and ambition for new experiences, emphasizing that embracing discomfort can lead to profound self-discovery. His journey illustrates how travel can profoundly reshape our understanding of what truly makes us happy.

Jul 15, 2025 • 1h 8min
The Real Scotland: Ancient Traditions, Secret Valleys, and Why You Shouldn’t Cut Your Haggis with Andy McAlindon
Andy McAlindon, also known as Andy the Highlander, is a Scottish tour guide, author, and storyteller who brings the magic of Scotland to life. He shares his inspiring journey from electrician to cultural ambassador, shaped by personal grief and passion. Listeners will discover hidden gems and cultural traditions, from hand fasting to quirky festivals like haggis hurling. Andy emphasizes the importance of sustainable travel, connecting with locals, and exploring Scotland's natural beauty beyond the tourist traps for a truly enriching experience.

Jul 10, 2025 • 1h 2min
Tbilisi Travel and Hidden Georgia Gems with Local Guide Levan Giorgadze
Join Levan Giorgadze, a theater-trained tour guide and founder of Tbilisi Free Walking Tours, as he unveils the gems of Tbilisi, Georgia. Discover why the city is a hidden treasure, from its 8,000-year-old wine traditions to vibrant Soviet-era architecture. Levan shares authentic tips on savoring khinkali, connecting with locals, and exploring off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods. With engaging stories and insights, he highlights the warmth of Georgian hospitality and the culture that makes traveling through Tbilisi an unforgettable experience.

Jul 8, 2025 • 1h 22min
Timor-Leste Hidden Gems: Blue Whales, Diving, and Slow Travel in One of the World’s Least Visited Countries with Jonty Crane
Jonty Crane, a New Zealand traveler and guidebook author, shares his insights on Timor-Leste, one of the least visited yet most rewarding destinations. He advocates for slow travel and explains how deeper connections with locals enhance the travel experience. Jonty highlights stunning landscapes, coral reefs, and engaging wildlife like blue whales. He discusses the challenges faced while promoting sustainable tourism and offers tips for navigating Timor-Leste's infrastructure. Finally, he reveals hidden gems around the world worth exploring.

Jul 3, 2025 • 1h 10min
How to Become the Hero in Your Own Life with Derek Loudermilk
Join Derek Loudermilk, a coach, adventurer, and bestselling author, as he shares his journey from academia to global thought leader. Discover five transformative 'thought reversals' that can help you become the hero in your life, especially during tough transitions. Derek discusses overcoming adversity, the importance of resilience, and how shifting focus from financial worries to personal growth can lead to fulfillment. He also tackles what it means to embrace struggles as part of your own hero’s journey.

Jul 1, 2025 • 1h 21min
From Death’s Door to Solo Kayaking 1,000 Miles Through the Canadian Arctic with Stephan Kesting
Why does it take a brush with death for some of us to finally do the things we’ve dreamed of?
Stephan Kesting is an accomplished martial artist, firefighter, wilderness explorer, and the author of Perseverance: Life and Death in the Subarctic. You might know him from his popular jiu-jitsu videos and teachings at Grapplearts, but Stephan’s story goes far beyond the mat. After surviving a life-threatening kidney disease and receiving a transplant from his brother, Stephan set out on a 1,000-mile solo canoe expedition through Canada’s remote Subarctic - a journey that became both an epic adventure and a profound exploration of mortality, identity, and what it means to truly live.
In this episode, Stephan and I dig into what it takes physically, mentally, and emotionally to embark on a solo wilderness journey in the face of mortality and grief.
Stephan’s story will inspire you to rethink your own limits. You’ll hear how he navigated a rare kidney disease that threatened his identity as a martial artist and outdoorsman, and how facing death up close became the push he needed to tackle a dream he’d been putting off for years. From his raw reflections on loss and resilience to his honest look at fear, self-doubt, and satisfaction versus happiness, Stephan’s insights will stick with you long after you’ve listened.
Whether your version of adventure is paddling 1,000 miles alone or just stepping outside your comfort zone, this conversation might just give you that nudge to get started.
When was the last time you answered your own call to adventure? What did it teach you about yourself? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.
Tune In To Learn:
Why Stephan walked away from a career in physics and ended up studying botany in the Arctic
How growing up with a foot in the city and a foot in the wilderness shaped his love of the outdoors
The surprising overlap between martial arts and wilderness survival
How polycystic kidney disease forced Stephan to confront his mortality and identity
How he planned and trained for a 1,000-mile solo canoe expedition after a transplant
What it’s like to be alone in the Subarctic for weeks, battling harsh weather and self-doubt
Why he believes satisfaction matters more than happiness when it comes to big goals
How the wilderness has helped him process grief and loss
Practical advice for anyone who wants to dip their toes into solo outdoor adventures safely
And so much more
Resources:
Sign up for our FREE newsletter
Stephan’s website
Essential Wilderness YouTube
Instagram
Perserverence book
Want More?
The Power of Death in Life with Gentle Rebel Bronnie Ware
Beyond the Summit: Climbing Mt. Everest, Filming at 29,000 Feet, a Cultural Journey through Nepal, and Taking Your Childhood Dreams to Heart with Alex Harz
Cross Country Canoeing: 7,500 Miles Into the Soul of America + an Unconventional Life of Travel With Neal Moore
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Jun 25, 2025 • 1h 21min
Building a Life Abroad, Culture Shock, and Big Leaps with Traveling Jackie
Jackie Nourse, known as Traveling Jackie, is an adventure travel expert and host of the JUMP podcast. She discusses building a life abroad, sharing her experiences raising bilingual kids in Norway and confronting her fear of heights while climbing Europe’s highest sea cliff. Jackie emphasizes the importance of community in personal growth and the lessons learned from slow travel. Her engaging stories highlight the intersection of courage and adventure, inspiring listeners to embrace challenges and design a life they love.