Despite traveling less than past years, our top experiences still brought the heat and include lots of concerts, retreats, dolphins, water, dolphins jumping in water, us jumping in water, hanging with "the band", and singing Estonian love ballads in a tiny town in New York.
A local favorite finally cracks the top desserts list, Heather's obsession with a certain type of pastry, and the pie that Trav thinks is the world's most underrated - plus a (unexpectedly) lengthy discussion about a specific candy bar that Heather loves and Trav thinks is "all marketing hype."
Coffees in rural Vermont. Cocktails in Mexico City. Eastern European liqueur. And tea from...Jamaica??? An eclectic mix makes up our best drinks of 2025 - listen to see what comes out on top.
Just because we didn't travel as much in 2025 doesn't mean we didn't have some incredible meals. From sushi trains to eating cheesesteaks in a car in South Philly - with lots (and lots) of Mexican food in between - these are our best meals of 2025.
What was our best accommodation? How about our worst? What was the most unexpected thing that happened in 2025...and who was the neatest people we met? All that, and more, in this episode.
For the 10th year, we are back with our six part Year in Review, starting with 2025 travel stats. How many places did we sleep last year? Did we spend multiple nights on an airplane (unfortunately for one of us, yes). What new places did we visit (hint: not many)? And how many total miles did we travel in 2025? All these answers, and more, in this jam packed episode.
240 acres. Sweeping mountain views. 10,000 square foot event barn. 1803 stone farm house. A mile from the base of a ski mountain. Unlimited potential. Find out how a Louisiana boy found the deal of a lifetime in the Catskills, and what they Trav and Jonas (with their partner Zack) plan on creating on this mountain paradise.
7 months. Over $20k of our own money. Thousands of hours of work. And we decided to bail on a $5,000,000 resort - what would have been the biggest real estate deal we’ve done so far. And while it was crushing in the moment, that changed quickly. Here’s the whole story - and why I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. Want to be the first to know about our newest projects - and even get first crack at being an investor? Sign up for our EPOP Real Estate Newsletter here: http://www.extrapackofpeanuts.c...
What does pickleball, an Eagles Super Bowl win, upstate NY, and the world's largest furniture markets all have in common? Those, plus 16 other things, are all things we were unexpectedly thankful for in 2025. Have a listen - and let us know on instagram @extrapackofpeanuts what you're thankful for in 2025.
Over the last 5 months, since I announced my "retirement", a lot has happened. And I mean...A LOT! Stuff like: losing a $5 million deal pivoting to an oceanfront resort being very close to acquiring a 240 acre farm Retirement life - I've never been busier! Want to be the first to know about our newest projects - and even get first crack at being an investor? Sign up for our EPOP Real Estate Newsletter here: http://www.extrapackofpeanuts.com/realestate...
Wilmington, NC is an awesome city. Heck, that's why I moved here 5 years ago and was able to convince Jonas to move here a few weeks ago. It's also a market I know very, very well - and one that I am very excited about doing a micro resort in. Today, we pull back the curtain and deep dive into a potential deal that we are looking at so that you can see the thought process and framework we walkthrough on each deal we analyze - and how we come up with either "heck yes" or "no". Want to be the firs...
The site of our first international micro resort is: A country that neither Jonas or Trav has stepped foot on. Small, tropical, and not known by many people. Home to incredible scuba diving. So how did this become the first place we decided to do an international micro resort? And where is it? To get those answers, you've got to listen to the show! Want to be the first to know about our newest projects - and even get first crack at being an investor? Sign up for our EPOP Real Estate Newsletter h...
Short answer: VERY! But for some people, the design process can be very overwhelming. Today, Heather shares why design is the one of the most importance parts of any hospitality project (especially a boutique one) and why it's not JUST "oh, that's visually appealing" but that it goes much deeper. Plus, she also gives some of her top design tips that anyone can implement, even if they aren't a designer, and the one thing she will NEVER allow in one of her properties? Want to be the first to know ...
Experiential micro-resorts around the world? Yes please! Today, we dive into our the top 15 international destinations that we are dreaming (scheming?) of opening up micro-resorts. 3 people. 5 places each. And some very surprising answers. Want to be the first to know about our newest projects - and even get first crack at being an investor? Sign up for our EPOP Real Estate Newsletter here: http://www.extrapackofpeanuts.com/realestate...
Max Lee is not your typical gym owner. In fact, he was never even planning on going to the gym, yet alone opening up 20+ gyms across Taiwan. Heck, he didn't even live in Taiwan 4 years ago - and he wasn't planning on staying that long. But Max is always open to opportunities, and that's what has lead him and his family to leading such interesting lives. You'll hear all about it in today's show, including their year of full-time worldschooling, what life is really like in Taipei and how they deci...
Dreaming about where to do our next project is one of the most fun parts of the whole process - and there are no shortage of epic places to pick from. Today, we narrow down the list to our top 15 places in the US where we'd like to open a micro-resort. 3 people. 5 places each. Including a special guest - someone who EPOP listeners will recognize. Want to be the first to know about our newest projects - and even get first crack at being an investor? Sign up for our EPOP Real Estate Newsletter her...
Kevin was a burnt out Wall Street lawyer who left that life behind to "buy a drug motel at the Jersey Shore with no money." Oh...and he had no previous hospitality experience. What he did have was a vision - both for what a new version of hospitality could look like and for what he wanted his life to look like. It didn't involve going back to Wall Street...and did it did involve a lifestyle of freedom. Over the past 7 years, he turned that first motel into a thriving hospitality brand, The Shore...
Two sets of bungalows. Both on the same island. Both owned by a one family for the last 50 years. Both historical and charming. And that's where the similarities end. In this episode, Trav walks through the lessons he learned from the first set of bungalows (and there are A LOT), how he made sure he didn't make the same mistake twice...and also why, despite the setbacks, the first set of bungalows might actually end up being a better deal (which is truly a shocker). Despite all the similarities,...
You've thought of it. Probably even dreamed of it. Leaving your regular life - the job, the car, the house, and the rat race - to move to a tropical location, renovate, and run a hotel. No worries, no stress. All sunshine, surf, fresh coconuts. Pure bliss. Well...you've dreamed of doing it, but Steph and Luke have actually done it. In 2020, they "bet it all" to move to Costa Rica and open up a hotel with two young daughters in tow. Heck, they even got a tv show out of it - HGTV's "Betting on Par...
Jonas has two development projects currently going - one in New York, one in Tennessee. One's going very well, one's going not so well (or in his words - not at all). So how do two projects, both with the same owner, take two drastically different paths? Find out the biggest lessons Jonas has learned from his Tennessee project, the things he would do differently, and how, despite the development taking years longer than expected, he's still making sure that project doesn't destroy him (financial...
Tom left his home in New Jersey one day before his 26th birthday. He walked. Around the world. For 7 years. 28,000 miles. 38 countries. 34 pairs of shoes. And one trusty companion (who was not part of the original plan). I've been fascinated by Tom's journey for years now - and it's as epic as it sounds. It's also, sometimes, as boring and mundane as it sounds. Tom dives into all that - why he started in the first place, how and why he kept going, what his favorite countries were, and how someth...
Location, Location, Location - the old adage of real estate is true. But that doesn't mean the right location is a one size fits all. In fact, it's the opposite. What's right for you might not be right for me - and vice versa. The best real estate investors define their own buy box and today we talk about how we have defined our buy box, why we are so keen on hitting "the path of progress" and tease out Jonas's new project in upstate NY - and how it was a home run deal for his buy box. Want to b...
Ever dreamed of living in Europe? Sipping cappucinos in the square of some Italian village or sunbathing on the beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean or Adriatic? It's possible - and, in fact, maybe even a lot more feasible, and affordable, than you think! (especially with lots of new digital nomad visas popping up, which we discuss at length) Jeff Opdyke has been to over 80 countries. He's lived in multiple countries in Europe. He's written for the Wall Street Journal for 17 years and is now t...
It's like a resort...for ants. (Just kidding. That's a Zoolander reference. I really hope someone got it and laughed). So, what are micro resorts? Why do Jonas and I believe they are the best path forward for creating experiential hospitality? And where are we currently building micro resorts (hint: one place is international, it starts with a B, and it's not the Bahamas - although I wouldn't be opposed to that down the road). Want to be the first to know about our newest projects - and even get...
Ever dreamt of moving to a tropical country, beach breeze blowing through your hair, surrounded by lush vegetation, wildlife, and amazing surf? ("Uhhh, yea Trav, basically every day!") Well great - then you're in luck. Because 4 years ago, my great friend Erika Kennedy packed up her life in Canada, her husband, two kids, and mom and headed off for that dream lifestyle in Costa Rica. And after living there for 4 years, she explains what it is ACTUALLY like to live that beachfront paradise lifesty...
In this new podcast, Trav sits down with his co-host Jonas to discuss the vision for their real estate "empire" - and why they believe experiential hospitality is the answer. Learn how they define experiential hospitality, why they are doubling down on it, and why AirBnB's aren't dead (but a lot are on life support). Want to be the first to know about our newest projects - and even get first crack at being an investor? Sign up for our EPOP Real Estate Newsletter here: http://www.extrapackofpeanu...
J-Rob was 40, had a house, regular job, and had only been to two countries (one of which was the US). Oh, plus he was scared to travel. But he did it anyway - and he started with a series of experiments (which he continues to this very day). Here's how J-Rob went from non-traveler to world traveler in 5 years despite getting diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Whether you're someone who hasn't traveled much but wants to or someone who's been around the world a bunch, J-Rob's story is not only inspir...
Danielle and Cassie were just two vet techs living in New Hampshire with a shared passion for the outdoors and morbid stories. So naturally, they started a podcast with their $25 walmart microphones and... ...it become an overnight sensation! In this episode, they give all the juicy details about the journey (like who was willing to leave their job first), discuss their most underrated national parks (it'll surprise you) and even throw a famous national park under the bus (lovingly, of course). ...
Adam Schluter is a self-proclaimed "introvert who was scared of the world." So what did he? Booked a plane ticket to the cheapest place he could find (hint: it wasn't cheap once he landed!) and started saying hello to strangers. Fast forward 9 years, and he's still doing it - while also figuring out how he can take the joy he feels while traveling and bring it back to his home in Idaho, which lead to him hosting Monday Night Dinners for 500(ish) people. Yes, 500 people. In a backyard. Of a small...
Over the past 30 days, I've taken on a challenge - to try 9 new habits. Everything from doing a carnivore diet to 5 minutes of a daily somatic shake to "phone in foyer". What did I learn? Did I fail at some of them? (hint: yes). Are some life-changing? Find out in today's show - and do me a favor: If you liked (or didn't like) this more personal, behind the scenes style show, let me know. I'm looking for your honest feedback as I experiment with different styles of shows so that I can create wha...
