Zero To Travel Podcast

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.

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  Thanks To Our Sponsors  Apple Card - Earn 3% back on the Apple products and services you love with Apple Card.  Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

What if the best way to explore Copenhagen isn’t in the guidebooks, but in a cemetery, on a bike hunt for trolls, or over a plate of smørrebrød with locals?  Rikke Bisgaard-Svensen is the co-founder of Copenhagen Free Walking Tours and a self-described travel addict whose life has revolved around two things: taking off to faraway lands and sharing her love for her hometown. What started as a side hustle born out of winter-season job loss turned into a 13-year journey building one of the most beloved free walking tour companies in Denmark.  In this episode, we’re exploring the evolving spirit of Copenhagen and sharing 10 Copenhagen hidden gems for travelers who want to see the city like a local, plus the surprising backstory behind Rikke’s tour company and how she fell into entrepreneurship.  If you want to experience Copenhagen beyond the usual sights, Rikke brings the kind of insight only a longtime local can offer. You'll hear about troll hunts in the suburbs, the deeper meaning behind a now-vanished statue, and what it’s really like to build a business in a country where modesty is a cultural expectation. Along the way, we talk about the unique Danish relationship with happiness (hygge), and hanging out in cemeteries (yes, really).  What’s your favorite hidden gem in your hometown that you wish more people knew about? I'd love to hear what it is, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.  Tune In To Learn:  How Couchsurfing led to launching a tour company  Why she never imagined becoming an entrepreneur (and what changed)  How “janteloven” impacts ambition and leadership  How Copenhagen has transformed over the past decade  Where to find Copenhagen’s hidden troll sculptures (and why they matter)  The oldest amusement park in the world, and it's very unusual location  How locals use cemeteries as parks (and what that says about death)  An alternative to the famous Little Mermaid statue  Where to get the best smørrebrød, cinnamon snails, and pastries in town  Advice to anyone wanting to run a travel business  And so much more  Resources:  Sign up for our FREE newsletter  Copenhagen Free Walking Tours  Forgotten Giants  Donkey Republic bike-renting app  I Am Queen Mary  Københavner Cafeen  Hart Bageri  Want More?  New Zealand: Top 10 Hidden Gems, Campervan Lifestyle (Tips and Tricks), and Doing Life Differently With Lisa Jansen  Top 5 Hidden Gem Film Locations For Travelers w/ Rebecca Almost Ginger  Hidden Norway: 7 Off The Beaten Path Gems You’ll Love, Popular Norwegian Concepts Worth Stealing, Trekking In Bhutan, & Living At The Crossroads of Magic & Science w/ Torunn Tronsvang from Up Norway  Thanks To Our Sponsors  Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trigger Warning: This episode contains honest discussions about depression and suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know is struggling, call the Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255).  Is debt stopping you from traveling? What if the life you’ve been told to want is actually the thing that’s breaking you?   That was the reality for Annette and Daniel Fortner of Chase for Adventure, a couple who sold everything, paid off $70,000 in debt, and hit the road full-time - not because they had it all figured out, but because they knew they couldn’t keep living the way they were. Their journey into long-term travel started with depression and burnout, and turned into something entirely different.  Annette and Daniel share the full story behind their decision to leave behind high-paying jobs and a “successful” lifestyle in favor of travel, healing, and freedom.   This conversation goes way beyond the typical “how we quit our jobs to travel” story. You’ll hear what it’s like to hit emotional rock bottom and use travel as a lifeline, not just a lifestyle. Annette and Daniel open up about their mental health, the practical steps they took to make long-term travel financially doable, and what it’s really like to work, live, and grow alongside your partner 24/7. Their story is raw, funny, thoughtful, and full of honest reflections that anyone thinking about big life changes will relate to.  What’s one belief about success you’ve outgrown? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.  Tune In To Learn:  Why depression and burnout led Annette to rethink everything  How Daniel's emotional struggles surfaced after they hit the road  How they paid off $70,000 in debt and saved $16.5K to start traveling  Advice to couples traveling and working together (without losing their minds)  Why setting “hammock time” saved their relationship  The financial realities of long-term travel and how they tracked every dollar  How to decide how much savings you need to leave and when it’s enough  Remote work tips to fund a travel lifestyle  Why Southeast Asia was key to stretching their budget  Places that blew them away, and a surprise detour with 10 rescue dogs in Thailand  And so much more  Resources:  Sign up for our FREE newsletter  Find Annette & Daniel at ChaseForAdventure.com  Follow on Instagram  Facebook  YouTube  ActionForDogs.com  Want More?  An Unconventional Approach to Challenges, Maximizing Travel With a Full-Time Job, Advice on Publishing, Creating Solo Travel Magic With Jen Ruiz  From Expat to Digital Nomad: Finding Your Travel Rhythm, Balancing Burnout, and the Digital Nomad Lifestyle with Kristin Wilson  Lessons from Quitting a Job and Selling Everything to Motorcycle Around the World with Mike Barr  Thanks To Our Sponsors  Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it really mean to feel seen, safe, and celebrated as an LGBTQ+ traveler? How can understanding other people’s travel experiences help us feel more connected, wherever we go?  Alicia Valenski is an American writer, editor, speaker, and author of the groundbreaking new LGBTQ+ travel guide with Lonely Planet that explores 50 of the most queer-friendly destinations around the globe. Now living as an expat in the Netherlands, Alicia brings a unique and deeply personal lens to her work as an autistic, bisexual woman and passionate advocate for inclusive travel.  In this episode, Alicia shares her top seven LGBTQ+ destinations. We talk about what it means to feel truly comfortable in a place and why inclusive travel benefits everyone.   Alicia talks about growing up in a small town, navigating cultural expectations, and finding the courage to live differently. Her journey shows how traveling with intention can change not just your perspective but your life. The insights she shares about creating safe spaces for the most marginalized groups offer a powerful reminder: when a place works for those often overlooked, it works better for everyone, including solo travelers, women, and anyone who's ever felt out of place.  Have you ever visited somewhere you immediately felt like you belonged? Where was it, and what made it feel that way? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.  Tune In To Learn:  Why Alicia and her partner chose the Netherlands as their home base, and what makes Dutch culture feel “just right”  How growing up in a conservative area shaped Alicia’s perspective on travel, identity, and chosen family  Why moving abroad was both a logistical challenge and an act of self-acceptance  Why travel is different for LGBTQ+ folks, and how “feeling welcome” can’t always be assumed  Advice for queer travelers who are new to travel and how to stay safe while still being yourself  The story behind her LGBTQ+ travel book, and why it centers diverse voices within the community  Her top 7 queer-friendly cities   Tips for navigating sensory overload while traveling as a neurodivergent person  And so much more  Resources:  Sign up for our FREE newsletter  Visit Alicia’s website  Grab the Lonely Planet LGBTQ+ Travel Guide  Alicia’s article in Attitude Magazine  Everywhere is Queer app  transequality.org  ILGA world maps  Equaldex  Moonlight experiences   Quouch  Want More?  LGBTQ+ Travel and Making A Difference with Ravi Roth  Travel on the Spectrum: Embracing Autism + Neurodivergence with Dan Bird  Getting off the Beaten Path With Travel Writing Legend Joe Cummings  Thanks To Our Sponsors  Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever thought about what your travels would look like without alcohol?  After eliminating alcohol, Margaret rediscovered her joy for travel, so much so that she started Alcohol-Free Adventure Retreats (AFAR), where she helps women rediscover and challenge themselves by embracing travel without alcohol.  In this episode, Margaret shares her 10 expert tips on alcohol-free travel, and we talk about why this may be something you’d want to consider trying yourself.   Whether you’re sober-curious or just interested in a different travel experience, Margaret’s tips are valuable in many situations. In addition to Margaret’s advice, we have a deeper conversation about living in an alcohol-centric society. You’ll learn about some of the benefits of the sober-curious movement and sober travel, why committing is sometimes easier than moderating, how to avoid decision fatigue while traveling, and plenty more.  Are you considering going alcohol-free on your next trip? If you already travel without alcohol, what do you enjoy the most? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.  *This is a previously released episode from the archives! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, offering valuable insight whenever you listen.  Tune In To Learn:  Why Margaret decided to change her lifestyle and how the sober-curious movement allows you to experiment with alcohol-free living   How traveling with the intention of eliminating alcohol can add another layer of transformation and self-exploration to travel  The problem with alcohol culture in Western society  How to best prepare before your trip and why having the right mindset is so important   The advantages of sober travel and five easy things you can do to help your trip run smoothly   Why building identity-based habits can help you embrace a new lifestyle or culture  My experience with alcohol-free living and why committing 99% is so much harder than 100%  And so much more  Resources:  Subscribe to our FREE newsletter  Learn more about Margaret and AFAR  Connect with Margaret on Instagram and Facebook  Join Margaret’s Facebook group, Teetotaling Travelers  Check out the books, Quit Drinking Without Willpower, This Naked Mind, Quit Like a Woman  Want More?  From $12 In Savings To Living Your Travel Dreams w/ Matt Fetbrandt  The Call Of Adventure with Brendan Leonard  Staying Healthy and Stress-Free While Traveling w/ Kirsten Pontius  Thanks to Our Sponsors  Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s it like to trade the hustle of NYC for a slower life in Iceland? And how do you explore its volcanic landscapes without getting stuck in the tourist crowds?  Jewells Chambers is the creator and voice behind All Things Iceland, a podcast and YouTube channel that helps people experience Iceland beyond the tourist trail. Originally from New York City, Jewells moved to Iceland in 2016 after falling in love with an Icelander and has since carved out a meaningful life abroad, blending creativity, digital marketing, travel planning, and a deep respect for Icelandic culture.   In this episode, we talk about what it’s really like to move to Iceland, how Jewells found her way into content creation, and her top recommendations for discovering Iceland's lesser-known destinations and experiences.  If you’ve ever considered moving abroad, reinventing your career, or exploring Iceland beyond the usual tourist stops, Jewells’ story offers both inspiration and practical insights. We chat about embracing discomfort, building a new identity in a foreign land, and how creativity and authenticity have shaped her journey. She also shares a curated list of hidden gems in Iceland—from geothermal wonders to ghost towns—and offers practical advice on navigating Iceland's wild weather and unpredictable terrain. Whether you're planning your first trip or your fifth, you'll leave this episode with a fresh perspective and a bunch of new places to add to your Iceland itinerary.  If you could slow down and live like a local somewhere (even for a little while), where would you go? 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!  Tune In To Learn:  Why Jewells moved to Iceland and how love and logistics played equal roles  What it was like adjusting from NYC hustle culture to Iceland’s work-life mindset  How moving to Iceland changed how she views her home country  How she carved out a creative niche in a foreign country without a plan  What most travelers miss when visiting Iceland and why the highlands are so underrated  How the Icelandic mindset of “þetta reddast” (it will all work out) reshaped her life  How a rainy, rough hike turned her into an outdoor enthusiast  Advice for dealing with Iceland’s intense weather and road conditions  Where to find hidden hot springs, ghost towns, and fjords with almost no crowds  Pro tips for driving in Iceland’s highlands (and why your car insurance matters!)  And so much more  Resources:  Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport  Sign up for our FREE newsletter  Check out Jewell’s website and podcast, All Things Iceland  Jewell’s ultimate packing checklist  Schedule a trip-planning call  Iceland map and travel resources  Subscribe on YouTube  Follow on Instagram  Get Jewell’s Top 10 Iceland Hidden Gems list  Want More?  Top 10 Hidden Gems: East Africa (Beyond the Safari) and Transitioning to Travel With Sasha and Megnote Lezhnev  The Hidden Gems of Andalusia: Discover the Spain Most Travelers Miss with Lucas Peters  Hidden Norway: 7 Off The Beaten Path Gems You’ll Love, Popular Norwegian Concepts Worth Stealing, Trekking In Bhutan, & Living At The Crossroads of Magic & Science w/ Torunn Tronsvang from Up Norway  Thanks To Our Sponsors  Visit Baltimore - Start planning your visit to Charm City today!  Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What can we actually learn about climate change when we stop reading headlines and start listening to the people living it?  Gunnar Garfors is the first person to travel to every country in the world not once, but twice. He’s a Norwegian adventurer, journalist, and author whose latest project took him across the equator, the Arctic Circle, and the Antarctic region to explore the lived experiences of climate change. His new book, Mellom Linjene (Between the Lines), captures these human stories behind the headlines, showing us how the changing climate is affecting the lives of fishermen, farmers, city dwellers, and Indigenous peoples from the Amazon rainforest to the ice desert of Greenland.  Gunnar shares his experience researching and writing his book and recounts the very real ways climate change is reshaping the planet’s most climate-vulnerable zones. We talk through five of his favorite countries along the Arctic Circle and the equator, weaving together adventure, personal stories, and eye-opening conversations with locals on the ground.  Gunnar’s first-person encounters with reindeer herders, farmers, fishermen, and locals living at the edges of the world help paint a fuller, more human picture of what’s happening. You’ll hear how polar bears are wandering into villages in search of food, why Amazonian ferry rides matter, and what it’s like to get called out on the Congo River for representing the global north.   How is climate change affecting the places you care about or the way you think about travel? I'd love to hear your thoughts, 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!  Tune In To Learn:  Why Gunnar retraced his steps across 21 countries and Antarctica despite already visiting every country twice  What ticks, shifting seasons, and reindeer behavior are revealing climate changes in Finland  What a screaming fox in Canada had to say about a massive landslide and how melting snow and rising rivers are reshaping northern communities  How the Amazon River’s disappearing waterways are affecting transportation, food access, and entire communities  Why fishermen in São Tomé and Príncipe are traveling farther for fewer fish, and what a disappearing rainy season means for daily life  What it’s like to spend five days on a cargo barge in the Congo (with very little food and a lot of humidity)  How climate change is forcing rural farmers in the DRC to question the cause and confront visitors with unexpected responsibility  Why telling personal stories might be the most powerful way to talk about climate change  Advice to travelers who want to get out of the Western bubble and witness these changes firsthand  And so much more  Resources:  Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport  Sign up for our FREE newsletter  Visit Gunnar’s website  Follow on Instagram  Want More?  Top 7 Up-And-Coming Destinations to Visit (Before They Get Crowded) With Gunnar Garfors  Visiting Every County In The World…TWICE! With Gunnar Garfors  World Tour for Climate Change: Hitchhiking, Biking, and Low-Carbon Travel With Megan Routbort  Thanks To Our Sponsors  Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charles Duhigg, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author of The Power of Habit and Supercommunicators, shares insights on becoming a "supercommunicator." He delves into the science behind effective communication, emphasizing emotional connection and active listening. Listeners learn how to navigate conversations with intention—whether in personal relationships or while traveling. Additionally, Duhigg highlights Baltimore's cultural gems, from local cuisine to vibrant neighborhoods, making it a must-visit destination.