Zero To Travel Podcast : National Geographic Type Adventures, Lifestyle Design Like Tim Ferriss Plus Inspiration Like Ted

Traveling abroad had such an impact on Rick early on, that he chose to dedicate his life to helping others see the world. In 1976, he launched Rick Steves’ Europe and, over time, built a travel empire along with a community of raving fans (including me!). His best-selling guidebook series, public television show, public radio show, syndicated travel column, small group tours, free resources, and other media all align with his core mission to help people get out and travel Europe. Rick has had a huge influence on me, both personally and professionally. His recommendations helped shape some of my early trips to Europe, ultimately leading to my life of travel. Rick also showed me it was possible to craft a career around my passion for helping others travel the world. Needless to say, he’s been a dream guest for me, and it was an absolute honor to chat with him and share this conversation with you today. What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you will share them

How can you create a more balanced, location-independent life? Podcast host and author of Digital Nomads for Dummies Kristin Wilson talks about the evolution of her travel lifestyle from expat to digital nomad and the unique challenges and rewards of living a location-independent life. Our conversation covers a wide range of topics related to digital nomadism, lifestyle design, and personal growth. Over the last 20 years, Kristin Wilson has lived and worked in over 63 countries. Her journey began with an unexpected move to Costa Rica, where she lived as an expat before transitioning to a nomadic lifestyle. Kristin's passion for travel and expertise in helping others relocate and work remotely has made her a leading voice in the digital nomad community. Her podcast, Traveling with Kristin, shares how to move abroad and design your life for more flexibility, travel, and free time.  Kristin’s story provides practical advice on managing burnout, finding balance in a nomadic life no matter where you are on your jo

Has a big epiphany ever caused you to instantly alter the trajectory of something in your life? When listener and international piano entertainer Matt Fetbrandt reached out to tell me about the epiphany that changed his life, I knew right away his story had to be shared. Over the past year (at the time of recording), Matt has traveled over 16,000 miles through 34 U.S. states and 18 national parks with no plans of stopping. In this episode, you're going to find out how, in just 7 months, Matt went from staying in a sober living home with only $12 to his name to saving $20,000 and living out his travel dreams. Matt shares about what it took for him to change a lifetime of habits and his journey to recovery from addiction. We talk about how travel can be a bridge to create connections, why he felt he needed travel to grow, and being analytical vs. spontaneous. You'll hear about his life as a piano man and stories from the road. Matt also shares some counterintuitive advice that may not make sense to most. Will i

Do you want to live your best travel life? Mike Savas shares his practical strategies and mindset shifts to help you make big changes and start living your most epic life today. Mike is an adventure seeker, entrepreneur, and positivity influencer who focuses on leading and inspiring others by example. After quitting his corporate job, Mike joined Bon Jovi's team and founded SUPER, a VIP experience company that elevates the fan experience. His clients have included The Rolling Stones, President Obama, Oprah, Eminem, Katy Perry, and more.  Mike Savas shares his journey from leaving corporate to living his best life, traveling to places like Nepal to help after an earthquake, and working with global artists and personalities through his business. You'll gain insight into how to make decisions and get off the fence if you're struggling, how to tune in with your instincts and allow them to guide you, why every work or life experience has value, and why you should never underestimate your ability to make an impact.

If a new opportunity comes your way, are you ready to take it? When professional photographer Leslie McKellar was forced to move out of her apartment in 2020 because of toxic mold, she took it as an opportunity to reevaluate her trajectory. After realizing her calling to travel full-time, she set out a plan to make it happen and left for Europe in January 2022. This interview is extra special because not only was it recorded in person but I also met Leslie 8 months into her travels so she has some fantastic insights to share from her experience. You will not want to miss what she has to say about how she budgeted for the trip, advice on how to pick the right destinations, valuable lessons from curveballs along the way, why traveling can help you reset, and a 60-second challenge to help you find new adventures. What are your takeaways from the 60-second challenge? I'd love to hear about them and hope you will share by sending me an audio message. *This month, we're sharing previous episodes highlighting travel

How can you transform your passions into a business that lets you work from anywhere? How can you take a traditionally location-dependent business on the road? Adrian "Ady" Parzentny has been a traveling musician for 20+ years and a mixing engineer/music producer since 2017. He works with world-class artists through his mobile recording business, Hit The Road Music Studio. He has been living on the road for 13 years, spending time in Albania, Georgia, Turkey, Armenia, and Greece, among other countries. Adrian shares his journey and best lessons on how he combined his passion for music with his love for travel to create a business around his lifestyle. You'll hear about the positives and negatives of passion mashin' and how he balances traveling the world, supporting local artists with free records, and paid client projects to make his lifestyle sustainable. You'll gain insights into carving your own unique path and deviating from the norm, embracing limitations and finding creative solutions, leveraging your

Have you ever felt like you don't quite fit the mold of society's expectations? Wanda Duncan is a slow-traveling digital nomad, community manager, podcaster, and event producer. As the mastermind behind Black Women Travl, Wanda has created a community and podcast that fosters conversations, provides resources, and inspires Black women to dream big and travel far.  Wanda shares all about how and why she left her corporate job to pursue a life of travel, expert tips on community building, advice on transitioning to full-time travel, and so much more.  What are some ways that you have embraced your inner misfit? I'd love to hear about them and hope you will share by sending me an audio message. *This month, we're sharing previous episodes highlighting travel turnarounds! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, providing valuable insight whenever you listen. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: How travel can he

Are you interested in eco-diving? Do you want to pursue a dream or get involved in something greater than yourself but are unsure if you have the right experience? Andi Cross is a 15-year growth strategist who went from the C-suite to scuba gear. Learning to swim at the age of 30, she later became a certified divemaster and founded the Edges of Earth expedition: a two-year, 50+ destination diving expedition traveling to some of the most remote locations around the planet aimed at driving visibility to conservation efforts and positive impact news from around the globe.  Andi talks about the unconventional approach she took to pursue her passion for the ocean despite not being a trained scientist and having no prior experience. We talk about how she fused her experience in the corporate world to invent her own path, the importance of finding identity and belonging, breaking traditional rules, and why you need to put yourself out there no matter how awkward (+ some great advice on cold outreach!).  She shares h

How has your life changed direction from traveling? Poet, entrepreneur, and retired stockbroker James C. Hopkins shares how he transitioned from a hectic life on Wall Street to a simple Buddhist life in Kathmandu.  We discuss why every experience has value, including the small moment that led to him creating a social enterprise to help fund education for kids. You’ll learn how to navigate new beginnings and improve your life, what compassion in action looks like, how to spend money wisely while traveling, why you should “shut up and do something” today, and so much more. What moments in your life have caused you to make big changes? I'd love to hear about them, and I hope you will share them by sending me an audio message. *This month, we're sharing previous episodes highlighting the most EPIC lists! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, providing valuable insight whenever you listen. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tun

Considering an overland travel adventure or have another dream you want to achieve, whether in work or travel? Eric Highland, his wife Brittany, and son Caspian are driving around the world in a Jeep. They have been traveling full-time since 2014, and their son, born in 2016, has lived his entire life on the road. Eric shares his insights and recommendations for overlanding and vehicle-based adventure travel, including common myths, costs, and travel must-haves to make your life easier. We also have a broader conversation around the pros and cons of full-time travel, what is required to pursue your dreams, how to balance work with travel, his experience having a child on the road, and his top three destination recommendations. You’ll gain insights into achieving sustainable and long-term success in your business, creating a healthy and fulfilling travel lifestyle, test-driving the overland travel experience, and more. Have you figured out the costs of achieving your dreams? I'd love to hear what they are, and

Listen in to find out our theme for this month and what epic conversations you can expect to hear. What topics and themes do you want to learn more about on the podcast? I'd love to get your thoughts, and I 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! Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Thanks To Our Sponsors Airbnb - Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.com/host. Nissan - Go find your path and enjoy the ride along the way with the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition. Learn more at nissanusa.com. No Fixed Address Podcast - Travel around the globe with Michael and Vanessa as they visit a new country every month in search of the planet's most extraordinary people.

When Terry Repak and her husband moved to West Africa with two small children at the height of the AIDS epidemic in the 1990s, she seized the opportunity to connect with people of other cultures and bear witness to the ravages of the disease.  Today, Terry shares what she learned from this experience and the countless ways that living abroad can be both rewarding and challenging, especially with the constant push-pull between the excitement of new experiences and the longing for home. Terry is the author of Circling Home—What I Learned By Living Elsewhere, which chronicles the adventures and challenges of raising children to be global citizens and trying to find home in countries as diverse as the Ivory Coast, Tanzania, and Switzerland. Her memoir spotlights the complexity, struggles, and profound lessons at the heart of the expat journey. You’ll gain insights into navigating the potential risks of moving to another country, why forming deeper connections is key to a fulfilling experience abroad, and why it r

Ever wish you could just slow down? Long-time digital nomad and founder of Wandering Earl Tours, Derek "Earl" Baron, joins me to talk about the best countries to settle in and spend quality time. Derek set off for his first trip in December 1999 and has traveled the world nonstop since. Having visited over 100 countries and spent nearly 8,000 days on the road (at the time of this interview), he has the unique perspective of someone who has spent over two decades living, working, and building relationships abroad.  Derek shares how to find the right place to spend quality time, tips for finding good housing abroad, the best country to make friends, advice for building relationships on the road, and so much more. Where was the last place you spent quality time? I'd love to hear about your experience, and I hope you will share by sending me an audio message. *This month, we're sharing previous episodes highlighting the most EPIC lists! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, providing valuable insight whenever y

Do you want to create a life or business that allows for freedom and flexibility? Matt Bowles is the host of The Maverick Show podcast, where he travels the world full-time to find the most fascinating people on the planet, draw out stories of their most epic adventures, and unpack the skills, tactics, and strategies they use to build their remote businesses and design their lifestyles. As an entrepreneur and 10-year nomad, Matt shares his insight into decision-making and prioritizing as a digital nomad, his methodology for building a remote business from traditionally location-dependent models, and his process for creating a business from scratch. Matt is also an expert on turnkey real estate investing, and he shares how this could be a viable option for you as a traveler. This episode will give you plenty of insights into life on the road (even dating!) and building a business around your lifestyle. What insights from Matt will you take into your business? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll s

What’s better than getting out on the open road and blasting your favorite jams? I’m with my buddy Jason Law to break down our top 10 road trip albums to fuel your next adventure. Jason and his wife Kelly run Festy GoNuts and GoNuts Marketing, the ultimate resource for enhancing your music festival experience. In addition to our list, you’ll hear about his experience building these businesses and creating a location-independent lifestyle. Get ready for a lot of great music, great fun, and great insights! What are your favorite road trip albums? I'd love to hear what they are, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. *We're sharing previous episodes highlighting the most EPIC lists this month! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, providing valuable insight whenever you listen. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: What timeless albums and songs are a must-listen for the ultimate road tri

Want to kickstart your digital nomad adventure or work and travel on your own terms? Janessa Klatt and Caitlin Sunderland are podcast managers and two of the core team members here at the Zero To Travel podcast. They’re with me today to share about the unique and nonlinear paths they took to achieve location independence and offer insights on how you can do the same. Caitlin and Janessa share advice for pivoting into freelance work, whether you have the skillset or are starting from scratch. We talk about the mindset shifts necessary to be successful as a digital nomad and remote business owner and why having a community is essential. You’ll gain plenty of advice on freelancing best practices, setting boundaries with clients, confidently selling your services, and tons more. What side hustle or business do you want to start? What piece of advice from this episode will you apply? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes,

Do you want to get off the beaten path and visit obscure destinations? Entrepreneur, podcaster, and travel junkie Dylan Thuras joins me to discuss some of his favorite lesser-known wonders and delicacies from all seven continents and why they’re worth the visit. Dylan is the co-founder of Atlas Obscura, a global community of explorers who have together created a comprehensive database of the world’s most wondrous places and foods.  With his wealth of knowledge about unique points of interest around the world, Dylan covers where to go, how to get there, and what unexpected hidden treasures await you off the beaten path.  Which of these seven hidden wonders would you visit first? I'd love to hear what stood out, and I hope you will share by sending me an audio message. *We're sharing previous episodes highlighting the most EPIC lists this month! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, providing valuable insight whenever you listen. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all epi

Why should travelers care about crypto? Nat Eliason joins me to talk about crypto's impact on the world's financial system, how to find fulfillment and success in your work, and how to create “unlimited upside” situations for yourself. Nat is a writer whose first book, Crypto Confidential: Winning and Losing Millions in the New Frontier of Finance, documents the wild inside story of crypto’s get-rich-quick underbelly. Nat and I also discuss the fine line between crypto gambling and legit use cases, the future of the crypto ecosystem, the best resources to follow if you’re interested in going further, and the biggest lessons he learned from winning and losing millions in crypto. How do you think crypto will affect travel? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I 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 he problem-solves for better insights and gets into his

What destination could you visit over and over again? What do people from other countries love the most about USA travel?  In this episode, my lovely wife Anne Dorthe is with me to chat about our family trip to the USA.  As a native of Norway, Anne Dorthe shares her unique perspective on traveling to America and gives us her top six favorite things about visiting the States—some of which are sure to surprise you! What places do you love to travel to and why? I'd love to hear about them, and I hope you will share by sending me an audio message. *We're sharing previous episodes highlighting the most EPIC lists this month! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, providing valuable insight whenever you listen. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: Why it's important to talk about your travel budget when planning a trip with your partner The amenity the U.S. has that’s hard to find in other places What elements

What are the things that help you flourish on a deep level? Nina Butler joins me to explore this question as she outlines her criteria for the top ten health and wellness destinations and why these may also be the top places in the world to live.  Nina Butler is the founder of InRetreat, which crafts transformative journeys to exceptional eco-destinations around the world. She joins Jason in person this week to talk about wellness holistically, defining it for yourself, and asking yourself about your own priorities when deciding to visit or live somewhere. We discuss her top ten wellness destinations across multiple continents, why urban centers can never be wellness destinations, the importance of trees and protected nature spaces, which regions are not yet over-touristed, and so much more. Which wellness destinations would you add to this list? I'd love to hear what they are, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access t