Zero To Travel Podcast

Samantha Brown has been inspiring people to get out and explore the world for over two decades as a travel television host - a career that has taken her to over 250 cities in 74 countries and 44 of the United States. She was the host of Travel Channel’s “Great Hotels” and currently hosts PBS’s two-time Emmy-winning series, “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love.”This episode is packed with insight to take with you on your travels and entrepreneurial pursuits as we talk about Samantha's journey to becoming a successful travel expert.You’ll hear about the 10-year buffer she gave herself to make it in NYC, lessons from connecting and communicating with strangers all over the world, what she’s doing behind the scenes that’s critical to the success of her shows, plenty of travel talk, and so much more.What is the biggest lesson that travel has taught you? I'd love to hear what it is and 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: What she learned while struggling to make it in the entertainment industry How to build rapport, ask better questions, and connect with anybody A critical thought to consider when communicating across cultures Why you should revisit your hometown as an outsider Why everyone should take a solo trip How she balances a fulfilling career with family life Her pivot to entrepreneurship and becoming a producer Why she loves visiting absurd destinations The problem with the media’s narrative on travel  The biggest lesson she’s learned from travel and her career And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Want to travel with me to Morocco? Sign up for more info! Visit Samantha’s website Follow Samantha on Instagram Want More? Travel Legend Rick Steves Live Life Now! (w/ Jeff Jenkins from Chubby Diaries) Oneika Raymond on The Art of Storytelling, Nomad Life, How To Choose A Home Base, And What It’s Like Behind The Scenes As A Travel TV Personality Thanks To Our Sponsors US Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card - Get 4 X the points on eating out and 2 X the points on groceries, entertainment services, and gas or EV charge stations. Apply today at usbank.com/altitudego to get 20,000 points by spending $1,000 in your first 90 days.  Nissan - There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Wise - Wise can help you send, spend, and receive internationally without the hidden fees or exchange rate markups. Learn how Wise can work for you by downloading the app or visiting www.wise.com/travel. AeroPress - Say yes to better mornings fueled by better coffee. Visit aeropress.com/zerototravel to save 20% off your order.

We're pulling past episodes from the archives to highlight Women's History Month! This episode was originally published in February 2016.Sarah traveled 10,000 miles on foot from Siberia to Australia—alone. It was an epic walk that lasted three years, during which she survived the mafia, drug dealers, thieves on horseback, temperatures from subzero to scorching, dangerous wildlife, and many other life-threatening occurrences. Her tales of survival, nature connections, perseverance, various encounters, and overall incredible spirit are documented in her book Wild by Nature.Sarah and I discuss the deep meaning behind her extreme walking adventures and the lessons she’s learned from these experiences. Get ready to be inspired as we explore themes of following your curiosity, trusting your intuition, and creating deeper connections with yourself and the world around you.Would you go on a walking adventure? What lesson from Sarah stood out to you the most? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them 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: How to have a more authentic travel experience How to push your boundaries (and use the resources you have within) What it’s like to follow your heart and discover your mission How to assess any situation to figure out what is actually going on How to differentiate real fear from fear you create Your ultimate ally in dealing with new experiences Her trick for creating positive thinking Practical tips for those looking to do extreme adventures And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Want to travel with me to Morocco? Sign up for more info! Read her book Wild by Nature Want More? Walking 300 Miles In Medieval Armor + Being The Change w/ Lewis Kirkbride Walking Across America The World Walk (Trilogy): Lessons From A 7 Year Walk Around The World w/ Tom Turcich Thanks To Our Sponsors US Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card - Get 4 X the points on eating out and 2 X the points on groceries, entertainment services, and gas or EV charge stations. Apply today at usbank.com/altitudego to get 20,000 points by spending $1,000 in your first 90 days.  Nissan - There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Wise - Wise can help you send, spend, and receive internationally without the hidden fees or exchange rate markups. Learn how Wise can work for you by downloading the app or visiting www.wise.com/travel. AeroPress - Say yes to better mornings fueled by better coffee. Visit aeropress.com/zerototravel to save 20% off your order.

What would you do if you knew you were going to go blind?At 13, Hayley developed alopecia and lost all of her hair. At 27, she was diagnosed with Stargadts disease, causing her to lose all of her central vision. On a mission to see as much of the world as possible before her sight completely deteriorates, Hayley recently became the first known disabled person to visit all 193 United Nations member states (and more).Hayley and I have an open conversation about her story, the motivation at the heart of this quest, and the challenges she faced both at home and on the road. Many universal lessons are packed into this conversation, including insight on learning to ask for help, respecting other cultures despite your personal beliefs, traveling to dangerous countries, avoiding disappointment when visiting a new place, food for thought for those working 9-5 jobs, and much more.What did you take away from Hayley’s story? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them 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 she opts for group tours and the advantages of group travel (for anyone) How her travels evolved as she learned to lean into her other senses The cultures she found challenging to navigate as a woman and how she approached these situations Her favorite off-the-beaten-path and mainstream destinations  How she keeps an open mind and avoids the comparison trap when traveling Advice for researching your travels and insight for those who also want to visit every country The importance of determining your risk tolerance when exploring dangerous destinations How she was able to travel with her full-time job (and why it’s possible for you too) How her accomplishment changed the perspectives of those around her  And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Want to travel with me to Morocco? Sign up for more info! Read Hayley’s blog Follow her on Instagram Want More? Blind and Partially Deaf Solo Traveler Tony Giles On Engaging Your Senses, Trusting Strangers, Inadvertent Inspiration and Traveling In 130 Countries Saying “Yes” To Full Time Travel w/ Christina McEnvoy Traveling The World In A Wheelchair: An Interview With Justin Skeesuck Thanks To Our Sponsors US Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card - Get 4 X the points on eating out and 2 X the points on groceries, entertainment services, and gas or EV charge stations. Apply today at usbank.com/altitudego to get 20,000 points by spending $1,000 in your first 90 days.  Nissan - There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Wise - Wise can help you send, spend, and receive internationally without the hidden fees or exchange rate markups. Learn how Wise can work for you by downloading the app or visiting www.wise.com/travel. AeroPress - Say yes to better mornings fueled by better coffee. Visit aeropress.com/zerototravel to save 20% off your order.

We're pulling past episodes from the archives to highlight Women's History Month! This episode was originally published in April 2016.Renata Chlumska is a Swedish and Czech adventurer with a long and impressive list of expeditions, including: Bicycling from Nepal to Sweden Summiting a mountain over 8,000 meters without supplemental oxygen A motorcycle trip from India to Sweden Climbing Mt. Everest and finishing the Seven Summits Completing her "Around America Adventure" (439 days, 11,300 miles by kayak and bicycle solo) In this episode, Renata and I discuss solo travel, planning big adventures, and how she turned her adventure into a career (and how you can, too!). She also shares how travel can be a way to process tragedy and why your exotic place as a traveler is just around somebody else's corner.Plus! At the end of the episode, I share my five tips to help you meet more people when traveling.What would be your ultimate adventure? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you'll share them 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 your travel experience is all relative to your mindset The best ways to prepare and plan for a big trip Why it's important to maximize life and make the most of it What she took away from her expedition across America How she became a professional adventurer and advice for designing your life Her plans to adventure into the final frontier (and how you can do it, too!) Insight into opening yourself to new possibilities and perspectives The best advice for a budding adventurer And much more! Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Want to travel with me to Morocco? Sign up for more info! Listen to Renata's TEDx Talk Virgin Galactic Want More? The Only Woman To Walk Around The World: Inspiring Female Adventurers Series with Polly Letofsky Solo Adventure Cycling Around The World: Epic Bike Rides With Shirine Taylor Only $50 and a Dream: Biking Across the USA Solo with Zero Experience with Jasmine Reese Thanks To Our Sponsors US Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card - Get 4 X the points on eating out and 2 X the points on groceries, entertainment services, and gas or EV charge stations. Apply today at usbank.com/altitudego to get 20,000 points by spending $1,000 in your first 90 days.  Nissan - There's no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Wise - Wise can help you send, spend, and receive internationally without the hidden fees or exchange rate markups. Learn how Wise can work for you by downloading the app or visiting www.wise.com/travel. AeroPress - Say yes to better mornings fueled by better coffee. Visit aeropress.com/zerototravel to save 20% off your order.

What happens when one person’s dream adventure is forced onto their family? Today’s episode is, in many ways, a cautionary tale to remind us of the importance of considering your travel companions' needs, especially when they’re children.At seven years old, Suzanne Heywood’s father took their family on a dangerous sailing expedition, recreating Captain Cook's perilous third voyage around the world. While it was supposed to last three years, it ended up taking 10. In her memoir Wavewalker: Breaking Free, she shares her experience of growing up at sea, being unable to receive an education, surviving a shipwreck, and eventually making it back to the UK and to university.In this episode, Suzanne shares a captivating story of resilience. We talk about some of the traumatic experiences she faced, including the shipwreck that led to severe head injuries just six months into their voyage (with no medical care on board). We talk about why she feels she was denied a childhood and the implications of this journey on her life and family. Have you been planning a family or group adventure? What did you take away from this conversation? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them 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: The problem with over-romanticizing taking children on extreme journeys Why her parents didn’t want her to share her experience and how the book has been liberating How she survived a shipwreck and why she considers “the wave” a defining moment for the trip  How her experience was significantly different than her brother’s Why she was denied an education and how her family relationships deteriorated What led to her finally being able to break free from her situation How you can make a huge difference in someone’s life through small actions How the experience has affected her parenting and career What you need to consider when setting off on an adventure with others  And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Want to travel with me to Morocco? Sign up for more info! Visit Suzanne’s website Follow her on Instagram Grab a copy of her book Want More? The Paradise Pack Sessions: Sean Keener of BootsnAll on Traveling with a Family How To Live Your Nomad Dream : One Family’s Epic Bike Ride Moving To Guatemala To Learn About Giving (With 5 Kids and Minimal Savings), Living Outside Of Your Comfort Zone, and Finding Community w/ Owen and Christina Dargatz from The Giving Experiment Thanks To Our Sponsors US Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card - Get 4 X the points on eating out and 2 X the points on groceries, entertainment services, and gas or EV charge stations. Apply today at usbank.com/altitudego to get 20,000 points by spending $1,000 in your first 90 days.  Nissan - There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Wise - Wise can help you send, spend, and receive internationally without the hidden fees or exchange rate markups. Learn how Wise can work for you by downloading the app or visiting www.wise.com/travel. AeroPress - Say yes to better mornings fueled by better coffee. Visit aeropress.com/zerototravel to save 20% off your order.

We're pulling past episodes from the archives to highlight Women's History Month! This episode was originally published in October 2022.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel like a great historical adventurer? Today, I'm joined by Elise Wortley, a journalist on a mission to, quite literally, walk in the shoes of some of history's most fierce female explorers.After reading Alexandra David-Néel's book My Journey to Lhasa at age 16 (and again at 28), Elise was left with many questions about the trials and tribulations Alexandra must have faced being a female traveler in the early 1900s. In search of answers, she set off to India to follow in the author's footsteps, using only items that would have been available during the original journey - a yak wool coat and wooden backpack.This trip has snowballed into multiple adventures sprinkled throughout the globe, bringing history to life and giving these past explorers the recognition they deserve.Elise shares epic stories from her travels (like traveling through the Valley of the Assasins) and describes what it was like to travel without modern luxuries. She talks about what it took to get started on her first journey, the important lessons she's learned along the way, and so much more. Which modern technology do you think would be the hardest to give up when traveling? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you will share them 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 female adventurers lack the same recognition as their male counterparts How Elise conducts her research  How she found her passion and inspiration for her first adventure What it felt like to wear historical clothing and how others reacted How traveling without technology will change your relationship with your phone Why adventure is for anyone and everyone and why you should embrace your weirdness Highlights from traveling through the Valley of The Assasins in Iran Advice for anyone who is looking to do something different with their lives How Elise’s projects help fund charities and what’s next And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Want to travel with me to Morocco? Sign up for more info! Check out Woman with Altitude Learn more about Elise Follow Elise on Instagram Read the Atlas Obscura article Get your copy of My Journey to Lhasa (the book that changed Elise's life) Want More? Independent Travel as a Female in Afghanistan, Hitchhiking Iraq, and Ex-Pat Life in Sudan with Jacquelyn Kunz A Race Around the World, Meeting Strangers Abroad, and Storytelling With Adrien Behn The Only Woman To Walk Around The World: Inspiring Female Adventurers Series with Polly Letofsky Thanks To Our Sponsors US Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card - Get 4 X the points on eating out and 2 X the points on groceries, entertainment services, and gas or EV charge stations. Apply today at usbank.com/altitudego to get 20,000 points by spending $1,000 in your first 90 days.  Nissan - There's no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Wise - Wise can help you send, spend, and receive internationally without the hidden fees or exchange rate markups. Learn how Wise can work for you by downloading the app or visiting www.wise.com/travel. AeroPress - Say yes to better mornings fueled by better coffee. Visit aeropress.com/zerototravel to save 20% off your order.

Author and adventurer Roff Smith joins me to share his top seven favorite bike routes from his National Geographic book 100 Bike Rides of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Cycling Experiences. Roff has cycled all over the world and is most known for his 10,000-mile solo trek through the Australian outback, the story of which became a three-part series in National Geographic. He’s explored Zanzibar by bike, rode from London to Istanbul, followed the Danube, and pedaled the length and breadth of Britain - to name a few!Roff’s list is packed with incredible options for cyclists of all kinds, from family-friendly trails to a few that are not for the faint of heart. He shares plenty of stories from his bike tours throughout the world, advice and insight into the challenges, and how you can build your life around travel.What trail are you most excited to explore for yourself? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them 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: How traveling abroad on a bicycle can allow for the most serendipitous moments  The most spectacular experience in the USA (if you survive!) An east-coast trail where you can ride straight through American history A beautiful, family-friendly route along the French canals (one of my top choices!) The tropical south-Pacific trail Roff nearly discovered by accident Why this Australian “right of passage” is the perfect expedition (if you’re up for the challenge!)  The Welsh route that literally coined the term “picturesque” Why he says this popular path along the European countryside is an idyllic, achievable adventure How to look at your home with fresh eyes and travel without going anywhere What drives him to explore and how that led to working with National Geographic And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Want to travel with me to Morocco? Sign up for more info! Visit Roff’s website Follow Roff on Instagram 100 Bike Rides of a Lifetime Cold Beer and Crocodiles Want More? Solo Adventure Cycling Around The World: Epic Bike Rides With Shirine Taylor Transition to Travel: From 9-5 to Biking the USA With Joe Ferrara Lessons from Coaching Olympians, Traveling to 150+ Countries, and 30,000+ KM of Human-Powered Travel with Antonio Cala Thanks To Our Sponsors US Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card - Get 4 X the points on eating out and 2 X the points on groceries, entertainment services, and gas or EV charge stations. Apply today at usbank.com/altitudego to get 20,000 points by spending $1,000 in your first 90 days.  Nissan - There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Wise - Wise can help you send, spend, and receive internationally without the hidden fees or exchange rate markups. Learn how Wise can work for you by downloading the app or visiting www.wise.com/travel.

We're pulling past episodes from the archives to highlight travel jobs this month! This episode was originally published in April 2017.If you work onboard a cruise ship, you’re guaranteed to get paid to travel the world - but is it all it's cracked up to be? How can you find the best cruise ship jobs without experience, and how can you stand out from the stacks of resumes?Amanda Hathorn-Geary is a cruise ship employment specialist who spent a decade working on board before moving into human resources and cruise ship recruitment. As someone with firsthand experience on both sides of cruise ship employment, she’s here to answer all those questions and help you decide if life at sea is right for you.Explore the pros and cons of cruise ship jobs, get a breakdown of the various positions (plus the top five entry-level roles), learn how to stand out and nail the interview, hear about the different travel experiences you can have, and much more.Would you work on a cruise ship after listening to this episode? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them 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: The #1 reason to work on a cruise ship What opportunities are available and how much money you can expect to earn Why working on a cruise ship is a great way to save for travel (even if you have an entry-level role) How cruise ship work can lead to longer-term career opportunities Which jobs can give you the most amount of time for travel How you can leverage cruise ship jobs to accomplish your bucket list items  What day-to-day life is like  How to stand out on your resume How NOT to answer interview questions And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Want to travel with me to Morocco? Sign up for more info! Read How To Get A Job On A Cruise Ship Want More? How To Travel The World Working On A Yacht (Travel Job Series) How To Create A Life Of Travel By Being Open w/ Joe Esten Jobs That Require Travel: Work For An NGO Thanks To Our Sponsors US Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card - Get 4 X the points on eating out and 2 X the points on groceries, entertainment services, and gas or EV charge stations. Apply today at usbank.com/altitudego to get 20,000 points by spending $1,000 in your first 90 days.  Nissan - There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Wise - Wise can help you send, spend, and receive internationally without the hidden fees or exchange rate markups. Learn how Wise can work for you by downloading the app or visiting www.wise.com/travel.

Derek Loudermilk is a professional adventurer and quantum business coach who “helps people do things that have never been done before and makes their lives the most amazing adventure possible.”He recently completed an 8-year quest to learn 100+ metaphysical, spiritual, esoteric, and healing techniques while traveling all over the globe – from things like laughing yoga, reiki, and plant medicine to telepathy, moldavite magic, telekinesis, astral projection, and more.You’ll definitely want to go into today’s episode with an open mind!Derek shares why going on a quest can significantly improve your life and travel experiences. He talks about the experimental approach to his quest, and we get into some of his most profound experiences. We also have a bigger conversation around the importance of curiosity and letting go of the stories you’ve been told so you can become more connected to yourself and the world around you. What kind of quest would you want to go on? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them 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: What a metaphysical practice is and how he blends this into his business and entrepreneurial pursuits How deprogramming your mind can allow you to become more open and aware The value in learning to trust your intuition ahead of your rationality His scientific approach to these practices and his experiment with crystal elixirs What happens when you die A way you can train your body and voice to change how you create your reality Why everyone has telepathic abilities (yes, even you!) Why more time isn’t the answer and ways to experiment with time-bending How you can use dreams to enhance your daily life And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Want to travel with me to Morocco? Sign up for more info! Sign up for Derek’s telepathy course Visit his website The Derek Loudermilk Show on Apple and Spotify Follow on Instagram and Facebook Read Mind to Matter by Dawson Church Want More? How To Become The Hero In Your Own Life w/ Derek Loudermilk How To Find Your Power Places Using Astrolocality Using Intuition to Make Tough Decisions, Learning to Surrender, Discovering Purpose, and Living Your Best Life with Amrit Sandhu from Inspired Evolution Thanks To Our Sponsors US Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card - Get 4 X the points on eating out and 2 X the points on groceries, entertainment services, and gas or EV charge stations. Apply today at usbank.com/altitudego to get 20,000 points by spending $1,000 in your first 90 days.  Nissan - There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Wise - Wise can help you send, spend, and receive internationally without the hidden fees or exchange rate markups. Learn how Wise can work for you by downloading the app or visiting www.wise.com/travel.

What happens when you realize you don’t want your career anymore or don't want to use your degree? My guests may have the answer!Matt Moore and Kelcey Fowler are the owners of CoolWorks, a website to help you find seasonal jobs in great places - everything from national parks to ski resorts, retreat centers, and whatever else you can think of! Matt and Kelcey talk about what led them to pursue an unconventional path and share insight into how you can do the same. You'll hear all about how to build your travels around seasonal work, great places and opportunities to explore, and advice for landing the job.What seasonal job would you love to do? I’d love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.We're pulling past episodes from the archives to highlight travel jobs this month! This episode was originally published in 2018.Premium Passport:Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: How to experience a rich lifestyle without a traditional job Important questions to consider when choosing the unconventional route How easy it is to get a seasonal job and who it’s best for Small hacks to help with the application process How you can be an attractive candidate The best times of the year to apply Things to pay attention to when choosing a seasonal job How they create work-life balance as the owners of Cool Works And much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Want to travel with me to Morocco? Sign up for more info! Check out CoolWorks Want More? How To Have Fun, Make Money and Travel The World With Seasonal Jobs Travel Jobs Series: How To Become A Whitewater Rafting Guide + The Game of Life How To Work For An Airline And Fly For Free: Travel Jobs Series Thanks To Our Sponsors US Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card - Get 4 X the points on eating out and 2 X the points on groceries, entertainment services, and gas or EV charge stations. Apply today at usbank.com/altitudego to get 20,000 points by spending $1,000 in your first 90 days.  Nissan - There’s no better vehicle for adventure than the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. Learn more at www.nissanusa.com. Wise - Wise can help you send, spend, and receive internationally without the hidden fees or exchange rate markups. Learn how Wise can work for you by downloading the app or visiting www.wise.com/travel. Go City - Save up to 50% on the best attractions, tours, and activities. Visit zerototravel.com/gocity and use the promo code ‘ZEROTOTRAVEL5’ for an additional 5% off.