Advertise on podcast: Globetrotters Podcast

Freediving and spearfishing have taken Gabriella Gerbasi around the world. From the Bahamas and Costa Rica to Greece and remote islands in Fiji, much of her travel revolves around the ocean. We talk about learning to freedive, swimming with sharks, planning trips around specific fish, and why she sees spearfishing as a sustainable way to source seafood. Gabriella also shares how catching her own food has changed her relationship with the ocean and shaped her approach to conservation. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/globetrotters-podcast--5023679/support.

Creative travel is changing how people experience the world. Geetika Agrawal, founder of Vacation With An Artist (VAWA), has built a global network that lets travelers spend several days learning directly from master artists in their studios. The idea began with Geetika’s own travels, from spending summers learning traditional crafts in India to taking a year-long journey across 12 countries while turning VAWA from an idea into a business. Today, VAWA works with more than 215 artists across 43 countries. We get into the challenges of building a new kind of travel company from scratch, the travelers who have surprised her most, and why sometimes the best reason to travel is to come home seeing yourself differently. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/globetrotters-podcast--5023679/support.

Latin America has some of the world’s most incredible travel experiences—so why are so many travelers still hesitant to explore it? Kathleen Hall, co-founder of Explore the Americas and Dive the Americas, shares how moving to Costa Rica changed her life and ultimately shaped the kind of travel company she wanted to build. Picking up from Part 1 with her business partner Melanie Marsell, we talk about the misconceptions still holding Latin America back, what travelers actually want from the region, and why luxury can mean being pushed outside your comfort zone without sacrificing comfort. We also get into responsible wildlife tourism, choosing the right local partners, scaling a highly personalized business, and why destinations like Guatemala and El Salvador deserve more attention. Kathleen also shares why changing perceptions and a growing demand for experiential travel could make the next decade a defining one for tourism across Latin America. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/globetrotters-podcast--5023679/support.

Latin America accounts for just a fraction of global tourism—but Melanie Marsell believes travelers are overlooking one of the most diverse regions in the world. As the co-founder of Explore the Americas and Dive the Americas, Melanie has built her career around helping people experience the region differently. Born in Costa Rica and raised between Costa Rica and Florida, her journey took her from hotels and travel consulting to scuba diving and eventually entrepreneurship. In Part 1 of this two-part series, we talk about what travelers actually value, responsible tourism beyond the buzzwords, the misconceptions still holding Latin America back, and what it takes to build a travel company around the places and principles you genuinely believe in. Next Wednesday, Melanie’s business partner Kathleen Hall joins us for Part 2. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/globetrotters-podcast--5023679/support.

She couldn’t afford a passport, so she sold chocolates until she could. Now, Helo has traveled to 76+ countries—and somehow keeps finding herself in the middle of a good story.She plans obsessively, gets lost on purpose, talks to strangers, and actively chases the things that make her uncomfortable. This is about what happens when you stop waiting for life to get easier and start putting yourself in places where something can actually happen. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/globetrotters-podcast--5023679/support.

The future of travel discovery belongs to creators, not search engines. Co-Founder: Lexi St. John shares how The Nod is helping creators, travelers, and hospitality brands build trust through authentic recommendations instead of traditional advertising. We explore the evolution of the creator economy, why tourism operators need to rethink discovery, and how trusted voices are shaping the future of travel. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/globetrotters-podcast--5023679/support.

If you've ever dreamed of saying, "I quit!" and booking a one-way ticket, this episode is for you. After experiencing corporate burnout and setting off on a solo trip through Southeast Asia, Gabi Nowak-Jelonek discovered that the hardest part of travel wasn't finding incredible destinations—it was finding people to share them with. That realization led her to create Females Flying Solo, a Facebook group that has since grown into a global travel company. We talk about building community from scratch, why more women are embracing solo travel than ever before, and how stepping outside your comfort zone can completely reshape your life. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/globetrotters-podcast--5023679/support.

After more than 50 episodes on the Globetrotters Podcast, Chelsea joins Jon for one last conversation to reflect on friendship, community, personal growth, and the journey they've shared together. A heartfelt farewell—but not goodbye. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/globetrotters-podcast--5023679/support.

Melissa Clover grew up surrounded by adventure, but after years of guiding travelers through Yellowstone and Grand Teton, she's learned that people rarely remember the miles ridden or the wildlife they spotted. They remember how they felt. In this episode, Melissa shares how a 70-year family outfitting legacy (Wilderness Trails Outfitters) has created a space where strangers become friends, solo travelers find community, and busy people finally slow down. We discuss life at "three miles per hour," the rise of solo female travel, what we've lost as we've become more disconnected from one another, and why authentic experiences in the outdoors continue to resonate in an increasingly digital world. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/globetrotters-podcast--5023679/support.

Liz Long didn’t set out to become a full-time traveler. After graduating college and starting a publishing career in Boston, she found herself burned out, anxious, and questioning the version of success she had been chasing. What started with pet sitting and budget travel eventually turned into a lifestyle built around freedom, wellness, meaningful relationships, and intentional living. Since then, Liz has traveled across more than 25 countries while finding creative ways to make long-term travel financially sustainable. In this episode, we talk about the realities of solo travel, loneliness, money, community, wellness, and what it actually takes to build a life you genuinely love instead of waiting for “someday.” Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/globetrotters-podcast--5023679/support.

Amanda Black built the Solo Female Travel Network after a terrifying experience in Cancun where everything she owned was stolen, leaving her isolated without a trusted support system while traveling alone. What started as a small Facebook group for women to share advice, safety tips, and real-time support quickly evolved into a global community of more than 500,000 members built around trust, reliability, and connection. Amanda shares powerful stories of women helping one another across borders, including moments where community members stepped in during dangerous situations abroad when local systems failed them. SoFe Travel grew from that same foundation — creating small-group adventures centered around trust, cultural immersion, meaningful connection, and making destinations that once felt intimidating or inaccessible feel possible for women traveling solo. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/globetrotters-podcast--5023679/support.

Owen Beiny is the founder of Points Partner and creator of the Fly Free Academy, helping thousands of people travel the world for little to no cost. A former CEO with 15 years of global travel experience, he combines strategic thinking with real-world tactics to maximize every mile, upgrade, and benefit. While his expertise spans all types of travel, Owen also shows—through his experience as a father—that flying free with a family is entirely achievable. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/globetrotters-podcast--5023679/support.

Kimberly Haley-Coleman, Founder and CEO of Globe Aware, breaks down one of the most important shifts in travel today: the move from passive tourism to purpose-driven service vacations. What began as a personal frustration with the lack of short-term, meaningful ways to engage abroad turned into a global organization connecting travelers with community-led projects across more than 25 countries. In this episode, we get into why traditional tourism—and even “voluntourism”—often falls short, what most people misunderstand about serving abroad, and why these experiences are less about helping and more about learning. Kimberly shares how stepping into a community with humility, not a savior mindset, leads to deeper cultural understanding and lasting personal impact. If you’ve ever felt like typical travel is missing something—or wondered how to experience the world in a more meaningful way—this episode will challenge how you think about going abroad. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/globetrotters-podcast--5023679/support.

Michael Mazzara, CEO of Rogue Expeditions, breaks down one of the most overlooked trends in travel: running tourism. What started as a personal challenge turned into a global opportunity—multi-day running experiences that combine movement, culture, and community across destinations like Japan, Slovenia, and the Dolomites. In this episode, we get into why traditional race travel often falls short, who these trips are actually designed for (hint: not elite runners), and how shared physical experiences create deeper, more meaningful connections than typical group travel. If you’ve ever laced up your shoes in a new city or wondered what travel could look like beyond sightseeing, this one’s for you. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/globetrotters-podcast--5023679/support.

Solo group travel and community trips are reshaping how people explore the world. Mantas Zvinas, founder of Surf Yoga Beer, shares how a lifestyle built around surfing, fitness, beer, and connection evolved into a global travel company bringing active, like-minded people together. Since 2014, SYB has designed high-energy itineraries packed with epic moments, spontaneous adventures, and friendships that last long after the trip ends. Most travelers arrive solo, but leave as part of the crew. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/globetrotters-podcast--5023679/support.