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What happens when two travelers leave everything familiar behind and cross the Middle East on foot and by camel, following a path few Westerners have ever taken? In this episode, Wells Jones shares the story of a 1,100 mile trek across Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria, retracing the route of T.E. Lawrence through deserts, border crossings, and remote communities, alongside his close friend Miles. What he expected to find was tension and danger. What he found instead was something far more complex, moments of uncertainty paired with unexpected kindness, generosity, and deep humanity. Wells talks about riding camels through Wadi Rum, navigating intense checkpoints, preparing for real risk, and learning how listening and humility opened doors that fear never could. This conversation explores long distance travel in politically complex regions, cultural respect, trust, and what happens when you let curiosity lead instead of assumptions. It is a powerful reminder that the world is often more human than we are taught to believe. Connect with Wells: Purchase His Book, A Line in the Sand Connect on Linkedin Kayak for a Cause Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ KEYWORDS Middle East trek, 1,100 mile journey, desert expedition, camels, cultural understanding, T.E. Lawrence, long distance travel, humanity and travel, middle east travel

Max Campbell is sailing around the world on a 50 year old Swan 37 named Elixir, a boat he rebuilt by hand and turned into a fully functioning home at sea. Over the past few years, he has sailed from the UK to New Zealand with an ever changing crew, navigating open ocean crossings, remote coastlines, and places that can only be reached by boat. In this episode, Max walks us through the moments that defined his journey. He shares the story of being caught on fire during a solo Atlantic crossing, then sailing alone for two more days with serious burns to reach land. He explains what daily life actually looks like at sea, how it feels to be disconnected for weeks at a time, and why that level of isolation can bring clarity rather than fear. We also dive into experiences that still feel hard to believe, such as being boarded off the coast of Venezuela, spending time in an immigration jail in southern Mexico, listening to firsthand stories from people who crossed the Darien Gap, and reaching South Pacific islands where boats are the only way in and trading supplies for food is still part of everyday life. This conversation is raw, eye opening, and deeply human, and it offers a rare look at what it really means to live at the edge of the world. Let’s dive in! Connect with Max and follow the journey below: Instagram Youtube Tiktok Website Patreon Sailing Crew About Elixir and the Crew Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ KEYWORDS Max Campbell, Untide, un tide, Elixir sailboat, Swan 37, sailing around the world, circumnavigation, solo Atlantic crossing, Atlantic crossing fire, boat fire accident, ocean sailing crew, sailing New Zealand, South Pacific remote islands, being boarded at sea, Venezuela coast guard boarding, piracy at sea story, Mexico immigration jail, Tapachula detention center, Darien Gap stories, sailing content creator

Natalie Ng is a videographer and writer from Perth, Australia who spent 20 months traveling the world alone. She did not leave with everything figured out. She left with questions, curiosity, and a willingness to learn as she went. In this episode, Natalie talks honestly about what it was like to travel solo as a woman for the first time. She walks through the fears she had before leaving, how she approached safety on the road, and how she handled the concerns and expectations of family back home. She shares the practical ways she built confidence over time, learned to trust her instincts, and made decisions that kept her grounded while constantly moving. We also talk about the places that shaped her experience most, including time in Italy, the Balkans, Morocco, Nepal, and Southeast Asia. Natalie shares stories from trekking to Annapurna Base Camp, volunteering in Nepal, navigating different cultures as a solo woman, and learning when to slow down instead of rushing to the next place. This conversation is for women who want to travel alone but feel unsure about safety, judgment, or not knowing where to start. It is an honest look at long term solo female travel, what actually helps, what matters most, and why you do not need a perfect plan to begin. Let’s dive in! Connect with Natalie: Website Shop Her Prints Read Her Blogs Instagram . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ KEYWORDS solo female travel, traveling alone as a woman, how to travel solo as a woman, solo female traveler podcast, long term solo travel, traveling the world alone female, women who travel solo, solo travel tips for women, how to travel the world alone, female digital nomad travel, solo travel safety for women, budgeting for long term travel, solo travel confidence, women traveling the world alone, how to start solo traveling

Colonel Terry Virts is a retired U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, test pilot, NASA astronaut, and former Commander of the International Space Station. He has flown 45 combat missions, piloted the Space Shuttle Endeavour, and spent more than 200 days in space, including three spacewalks. In this episode, Terry shares his extraordinary journey, from growing up with a dream of becoming an astronaut, to the moment he first looked out over Earth from the Cupola. We talk about the discipline of flying F-16s, the lessons of leadership learned in the Air Force Academy, and what life is really like on the ISS…from sleeping weightless to handling false alarms. He also opens up about filming the IMAX documentary, "A Beautiful Planet," narrated by Jennifer Lawrence, directing "One More Orbit" to set a world record flying around the globe, and how his love for storytelling and photography led to his art exhibit,"View From Above." Now, as a U.S. Senate candidate in Texas, Terry is focused on bringing ethics, service, and integrity back to public office. Lastly, he talks about the values that have guided every mission of his life, including courage, humility, and service before self, and why he still believes America’s best days are ahead. This episode is a look inside spaceflight, leadership, and what happens when you choose to serve beyond yourself. Connect with Terry: Website Instagram Launch Video (1M+ views) Buy His Book, How to Astronaut Watch His Documentary, One More Orbit See His Photography Exhibit, View From Above Support His Senate Campaign Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ KEYWORDS Terry Virts interview, NASA astronaut, International Space Station, astronaut podcast, space travel stories, One More Orbit documentary, A Beautiful Planet IMAX, How to Astronaut book, astronaut photography, astronaut training, space shuttle Endeavour, fighter pilot stories, F16 pilot, spacewalk experience, view from above art, life in space, astronaut sleeping weightless, NASA leadership lessons, astronaut turned politician, Terry Virts Senate campaign

Julio Campis Díaz is a 24-year-old Puerto Rican ecologist and PhD student whose career took a dramatic turn the day he stepped into El Yunque National Rainforest. What began as a required research assignment led him from freshwater shrimp studies to working inside Great Smoky Mountains and Yosemite National Park. In this episode Julio shares how that moment reshaped his path, the mentors who guided him, and the field experiences that shaped his love for conservation. He talks about tracking rare owls, teaching visitors in national parks, witnessing shrimp migrations, and navigating close encounters with wildlife. We also discuss the challenges national parks face today and the importance of including native knowledge and strong community partnerships. In this episode • The unexpected moment in El Yunque that sent Julio from pre med to wildlife science • What it is really like to work as a ranger in Great Smoky Mountains and Yosemite • The wild encounters waking up to a bear, tracking a rare owl for hours, and seeing shrimp migrations that look unreal • How national parks are changing and why native knowledge is shaping better conservation • The surprising role kids have played in his passion for education and outreach • His current PhD work removing old dams to reopen migration routes for fish and shrimp • The long term dream that keeps him motivated leading El Yunque National Forest Connect with Julio: Instagram Support El Yunque National Park National Park Service Shrimp Migration Video . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ KEYWORDS national parks, wildlife stories, bear encounter, park ranger intern, national park service, Yosemite internship, Smoky Mountains wildlife, conservation careers, ecology student, wildlife biologist, fieldwork stories, outdoor jobs, nature podcast, environmental science, wildlife encounters, El Yunque rainforest, shrimp migration, PhD ecology, national park education, conservation inspiration, travel podcast, adventure podcast, park ranger

Jamie Edwards didn’t plan to become a travel writer, and she definitely didn’t plan on writing for National Geographic. But after moving from New York to Tokyo, her world opened up in ways she couldn’t have imagined. What began as a small blog turned into a thriving platform called I Am Lost and Found, and eventually, a dream project as a contributing author for National Geographic’s Traveler’s Atlas. In this episode, Jamie shares her story of becoming one of the few travel writers to contribute to National Geographic’s newest global book, how she balances writing with motherhood, and what it felt like to stand in Antarctica with her 78-year-old stepfather as whales surfaced beside their kayaks. From the Arctic to the streets of Bhutan, Jamie’s adventures are a reminder that it’s never too late to reinvent your life or pursue the stories that light you up. Let’s dive in! Connect with Jamie: Order The Traveler’s Atlas of the World by National Geographic, featuring Jamie’s work Website Instagram Her Travel Coaching Service Quark Expeditions Linkedin . . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ Keywords Jamie Edwards interview, National Geographic writer, how to write for National Geographic, National Geographic contributing author, travel writer career, how to become a travel writer, pitch National Geographic, National Geographic book opportunity, Travelers Atlas National Geographic, I Am Lost and Found blog, Instagram DM to book deal, Antarctica travel stories, Arctic Svalbard trip, polar bears in Svalbard, humpback whales Antarctica, Quark Expeditions review, polar plunge experience, travel coaching explained, living in Tokyo with kids, Bhutan Tigers Nest story, Uganda gorilla trekking, starting a travel blog, switch careers to travel writing, women in travel writing, inspirational travel podcast

Ricardo Kaljouw is a Dutch mountaineer, author, and Royal Dutch Navy veteran whose life has been built around pushing beyond limits. He has visited 117 countries, climbed 75 high-altitude peaks, and stood on 45 volcanoes around the world. He’s one of only about fifty people on earth to complete the Volcanic Seven Summits, a rare challenge that involves climbing the highest volcano on each of the seven continents. In addition, he was the first Dutch climber to reach the top of Mount Sidley, Antarctica’s most remote volcano. His journey has taken him from the icy ridges of Mount Giluwe in Papua New Guinea to the lava slopes of Ojos del Salado in Chile, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and Mount Elbrus in Russia. Each climb tested his endurance, his focus, and his faith in himself. In this episode, Ricardo takes us inside the decade of storms, setbacks, and silent triumphs that defined his pursuit. We talk about surviving avalanches, snow blindness, and isolation in some of the harshest environments on Earth. He shares how his military training shaped his resilience, the love story behind a summit proposal in Mexico, and his next mission, the Volcanic Grand Slam, a world-first expedition to climb the highest volcano in twenty-five volcanic countries across all seven continents. Ricardo also opens up about his book A Million Steps on Lava, what standing on the edge of an active crater does to your sense of fear, and why adventure, to him, is as much about stillness as it is about summits. Let's dive in! Connect with Ricardo: Instagram Order his book, A Million Steps on Lava . Join My Costa Rica Trip Feb 2026 With Worldpackers! We’ll surf, explore the rainforest, do salsa dancing, and have beach bonfires together! Accommodation, meals, activities, and transport within the trip are all included and organized for you, so you just show up and get ready for the best week ever! Join the WhatsApp Group Here To Find Out More Details: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DwPFDBmTU526n5zvEYVKnk?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaebo8Fv82ChKcXgtFErcNPtY-4Zf4w0eLIZAK4hWO_suxUK8Iyweod2dt47pA_aem_V3IWwrcbgnXjuA_jHJq9oQ . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Youtube ~ KEYWORDS mountaineering, volcano climbing, volcanic seven summits, adventure travel, antarctica expedition, climbing stories, extreme sports, explorers podcast, travel podcast, dutch climber, mount sidley, survival stories, volcanic grand slam, adventure inspiration, world travel

At 25, filmmaker and surfer Meredith Rodgers found herself sailing across every ocean on Earth, filming one of the most intense races in the world. It all started with one cold email that somehow turned into a dream job she didn’t even know existed. For almost a year, she lived on a 70-foot sailboat surrounded by strangers, capturing storms, sunrises, and everything in between. In this episode, Meredith shares how she made that opportunity happen, what life at sea actually looked like day to day, and the moments that tested her the most. We talk about the transition that came after…the shock of coming home, the feeling of starting over, and the new documentary she’s creating about women surfing through freezing East Coast winters! And some of her best pieces of advice, of course :) Connect with Meredith: Instagram Substack Her Women Led Film Studio, Atrain Studios Surf Documentary BTS Clipper Race (sailing around the world) . About My Costa Rica Group Trip With Worldpackers: It’s a 7-day surf and adventure experience happening February 16–22, 2026, hosted through Worldpackers. Everything’s organized for you, accommodation, meals, activities, and transport within the trip, so you just show up and we will have the best week ever!! We’ll surf, explore the rainforest, do salsa dancing, and have beach bonfires together! Right now there’s an early bird discount for the first few people to book. Here’s what’s included: •⁠ ⁠300 dollars off the trip price (usually around 1050) •⁠ ⁠Four years of the Worldpackers membership (worth 520 dollars) •⁠ ⁠A one-on-one call with me before the trip •⁠ ⁠200 dollars in travel credits for another Worldpackers experience •⁠ ⁠A Worldpackers guide to help you travel for free in the future You just pay a small deposit now to save your spot, and the rest later with flexible payment options! Here’s the link to see all the details and book your spot 💙 https://www.worldpackers.com/en/epic/experiences/costarica-surfweek-double/slots/KINDREDROADS02152026 ~ Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ KEYWORDS sailing around the world, filmmaker interview, ocean adventure stories, Clipper Round the World Race, women in film, creative career journey, freelance filmmaker life, surfing documentary, travel and storytelling, resilience and personal growth

There are few people who live their calling as boldly as Dr. Clifford Redford. He is a veterinarian, documentary filmmaker, and lifelong animal advocate whose work has taken him far beyond the walls of his busy clinic in Canada. From rescuing street dogs in Jamaica to saving wildlife in India and performing surgeries in Ukraine as missiles shook the ground, Cliff has made it his mission to help animals wherever they need him most, often alongside his daughter, who travels with him on many of these rescue missions. In this episode, Cliff shares how his passion for animal welfare led him to begin volunteering on rescue missions around the world. What started as a three-week trip to Jamaica turned into a lifelong journey of bringing care and compassion to animals in crisis. We talk about what it’s like to perform surgery with little supplies, how he’s learned to adapt to different cultures and conditions, and how traveling with his daughter has deepened the meaning of his work. Cliff also opens up about the emotional highs and lows of rescue work, filming his documentary World Wide Vet, and why he believes kindness and education are the most powerful tools for change. His stories reveal the quiet courage it takes to keep showing up, the hope that comes from helping, and the reminder that one person’s compassion can ripple across the world. Connect with Dr. Cliff: Website Instagram Youtube His Clinic Ohana Animal Charity His Podcast His Documentary (available soon in the USA!) . . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ KEYWORDS veterinarian, animal rescue, adventure, documentary, veterinary medicine, wildlife, cultural experiences, family, kindness, travel podcast, adventure podcast, inspiring, storytelling, service, courage, compassion, humanitarian, volunteering, resilience  

Emily Corinne is a yoga teacher who has lived in Thailand, taught abroad, and spent nine months backpacking through 17 countries. Along the way she moved between classrooms and retreat spaces, traded city rush for sunrise meditations, and learned how to build simple routines in unfamiliar places. Those months held everything from missed buses and last-minute detours to quiet mornings spent journaling, practicing, and noticing the small details that make a place feel like home. Now she leads group trips and retreats around the world, bringing people together through yoga, community, and adventure. She talks about why saying yes to new experiences matters, how staying present changes the entire arc of a journey, and why the connections you make with people often become the most meaningful souvenirs. In this episode we get into what teaching overseas taught her about culture and resilience, how meditation and presence reshape the way you move through the world, and a few unforgettable backpacking stories that still make her laugh. Connect with Emily: Instagram Tiktok Join Her Group Trips   . . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube

Lachie Smart was just 18 years old when he became the youngest person to fly solo around the world in a single-engine aircraft. What started as a wild idea with no money, no flying experience, and a stack of rejection letters turned into a 54-day journey across 45,000 kilometers and 24 countries. In this episode, Lachie takes us inside the storms that nearly knocked him out of the sky, the moments of doubt that almost ended the dream, and the unexpected kindness of strangers that reminded him why he kept going. From dodging pirates and nearly being shot down in the Middle East, to crying over a cheese sandwich baked by a stranger in Sri Lanka, his story is as human as it is daring. We talk about what it really takes to pull off a record-breaking journey, why naivety can sometimes be your biggest advantage, and how persistence through 200 no’s finally turned into a yes. This is an adventure about risk, resilience, and the courage to start before you feel ready. Let’s dive in! Connect with Lachie: Website Instagram Youtube . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ KEYWORDS aviation, circumnavigation, flying, adventure, sponsorship, youth empowerment, public speaking, travel, resilience, personal growth, travel podcast, pilot, overlanding, flying around the world  

Lauren Bash is a storyteller, climate activist, and TED speaker who was named to Harvard’s Climate Creators to Watch list. She has been featured on BuzzFeed, The New York Times, and more, inspiring ordinary people to join the climate movement through storytelling in an approachable, optimistic way. In this episode, we hear how Lauren Bash went from the filmmaking world to inspiring millions on social media, sharing that small steps can lead to big change. We dive into her viral “Make Polluters Pay” campaign, which called out Exxon and other oil giants for knowingly fueling climate disasters. Lauren also explains why ordinary people can shift legislation and why waiting to be perfect before you act is exactly what polluters hope you will do. She also opens up about Gimme My Medicine, the short film she created about her dad’s health journey. It documents the plant based challenge that transformed his health in just 30 days and the heartbreak that followed when she later lost him. Lauren shows how grief, love, and storytelling can fuel action that impacts millions. Overall, this episode is for travelers who have seen climate change firsthand but feel they are not informed enough to take action or share their views, and it proves that even one voice can make a difference. Let’s dive in! Connect with Lauren Instagram Tiktok Website Watch her short film, “Gimme My Medicine”  Surfrider LA Intersectional Environmentalist Grassroots Organization Network Patagonia Action Works . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ Keywords climate activism, community organizing, environmental justice, civic engagement, climate change awareness, sustainable living, grassroots movements, personal stories, Make Polluters Pay, eco-friendly resources, lauren bash  

Eli Snyder is a travel content creator with a community of over 500 thousand people across platforms. He’s traveled to 105 countries proving that if you look past the headlines and trust humanity, travel can be safer and more meaningful, while still staying smart. In this episode, we dive into the wildest and most intense stories from his recent travels through Afghanistan, Syria, West Africa, and more. We talk about sneaking into Saddam Hussein’s abandoned palace, losing a passport in one of the worst places possible, and taking the Iron Ore train, the most dangerous train in the world across the Sahara. He shares why West Africa was the most challenging place he's ever traveled and how strangers in Turkmenistan and Syria reminded him of the goodness of people again and again. Eli also opens up about why he left his corporate job to pursue a life of meaning through discomfort, how he plans his adventures based on instinct and seasonality, and why solo travel is the most social thing you can do. He gives advice to anyone afraid to leap into travel and explains why the world is much safer than we’ve been led to believe. At the end, he shares more about his group trips, where he takes small groups of curious travelers to places like Jordan, Afghanistan, Norway, Namibia, and Guatemala. These trips are for anyone who wants to experience deep culture and real connection with the world and each other. Connect with Eli: His Group Trips Instagram Tiktok Youtube - travel, adventure, Middle East, West Africa, cultural experiences, social media, travel advice, Eli Snyder, Snydexplores, tourism, extreme travel, solo travel, off the beaten path, digital nomad, overland travel, international borders, remote countries, group trips, travel storytelling, global perspective

Aisha Makara is a world traveler who’s explored over 60 countries and a Mongolian artist, engineer, entrepreneur, and author of the Joyful Living Guidebook. She spent her earliest years in a Soviet-era Russian orphanage before hitchhiking across Central Asia, earning an engineering degree in Norway, co-founding Lisbon White Rose property management in Portugal and launching a nonprofit to support orphanages. After a van break-in in Florida, she rebuilt her life and ultimately saw her art literally reach the stars on plaques sent to space by SpaceX. In this episode, Aisha recounts life without family, the moment she chose independence over scarce caretaker attention, her fight to reclaim a “sold” scholarship, building her first nonprofit during university, bouncing back from that Florida setback and why curiosity, resilience and gratitude fuel her joyful, purpose-driven journey. Connect with Aisha • Art Instagram: @aishamakaraart • Personal Instagram: @bigbossbaby7777 • Joyful Living Guidebook: Buy on Amazon - Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube

Fletcher Cox spent seven months driving the Pan-American Highway from Lake Tahoe to Ushuaia, Argentina with nothing but his husky mix, Dune, and his Audi sedan… In this episode, Fletcher tells the story of crossing a cartoonish bridge in Peru under the watch of a “toll troll,” galloping through a Mexican ghost town with a gold-toothed cowboy, and stumbling into a mysterious masked procession in a tiny mountain village. We also get into what it felt like to summit Patagonia’s granite spires, how he built a shrine to his late friend at the literal end of the world, and why travel warped his perception of time and reality forever. Let’s dive in! Connect with Fletcher: Instagram Linkedin . Follow along on other platforms: Instagram Tiktok Youtube ~ KEYWORDS: overland travel, Pan-American Highway, Patagonia, dog travel, climbing, solo travel, Peru, Mexico, self-discovery, risk, grief, freedom, adventure storytelling, wild animals, car camping, life after loss, Andes, husky mix, shrine building, road trip, travel with purpose