Zero To Travel Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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 

In this engaging conversation, Annette and Daniel Fortner, dynamic travelers and creators from Chase for Adventure, share their transformative journey from $70,000 in debt and the struggles of burnout to thriving in a nomadic lifestyle. They candidly discuss the emotional challenges of their past, how travel became their lifeline, and the importance of self-discovery on the road. Listeners will find inspiration in their practical budgeting tips for long-term travel and the heartfelt moments that come from navigating adventures together, proving that freedom often lies outside our comfort zones.

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 

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